Amidst decreasing cases of coronavirus in the country with vaccinations taking the plunge, the British government is planning to lift eh restrictions imposed on foreign travellers by allowing those fully vaccinated to enter the nation. The decision that is being undertaken as one among the string of relaxations, is expected to be announced in the next fortnight, the UK said on Friday.
Though the statement wasn’t met with open arms by health experts and scientists all over, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps defended the government’s stance as the nation readies to welcome 1,000 football fans from Italy. The group is going to come in to spectate the European Championship final against England on Sunday. They will be joining about 60,000 other fans.
The permission was looked down upon by scientists as they worried it could fuel a rapid surge in covid cases. They said the government’s plan to remove most of the restrictions on July 19th that were placed in view of coronavirus could bring havoc in the nation.
ALSO READ: Emirates expects to resume Dubai-India flights from July 7
However, Shapps came in saying that the supporters from Italy would be in England for 12 hours only and will be brought in specially chartered flights. They will also have a separate sitting zone in the Wembley Stadium and will be back on their return flight after the match in London.
Terming this a “very restricted programme”, he said the fans will not be able to “travel anywhere else”.
This comes before the Uk government’s announcement of Thursday, scrapping the mandatory quarantine for UK residents and children upon their return to England, given they are fully vaccinated against covid-19.
Though this allowance comes as a boon for people intending to spend their summer holidays in holiday destinations like Greece, Spain and France, it is restricted for use to travellers who get their vaccines administered through the UK’s health services. This excludes British expats and foreigners inoculated abroad, welcoming criticism from expatriates majorly.
The government is “very actively working at the moment” to make this program available for expats and foreign travellers, the minister said. “In the next couple of weeks”, they can be more information about this scheme for other countries, he said.
ALSO READ: India International Flights Suspension Extended Till July 31
Nevertheless, this is easier to be done in Europe as they use a digital app compared to the US that uses about 50 different systems as each state is allotted one, Mr Shapps further said, adding that the United States also uses largely paper-based systems.
The UK is ready to lift its restrictions and normalize the economy following the third lockdown since the pandemic set its foot in concrete in 2019.
