The government of the United Kingdom has announced that starting from March 18, travelers from other countries planning to enter Britain will no longer be subject to travel restrictions upon their arrival.
The new changes announced by authorities in Britain ahead of the Easter Holidays mean that passengers will no longer be obliged to fill in the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) or present proof that they have tested negative for the Coronavirus upon their entry, VisaGuide.World reports.
“The UK is leading the world in removing all remaining COVID-19 travel restrictions, and today’s announcement is a testament to the hard work everyone in this country has put in place to roll out the vaccine and protect each other,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said.
Shapps stressed that authorities in Britain would not keep travel restrictions in place for a longer period than necessary.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the travel sector and partners around the world to keep international travel moving,” Shapps pointed out in this regard.
Authorities in Britain have announced that all persons who have not been vaccinated against the virus will also be excluded from the requirement to undergo a pre-departure test or a day two post-arrival test.
Besides, all persons who have not been vaccinated against the virus will also be excluded from the requirement to undergo a pre-departure test or undergo a day two post-arrival test.
At present, arrivals from other countries reaching the UK are obliged to fill in the PLF regardless of their vaccination status.
In addition, arrivals from other countries aged 18 and over who have not completed their immunization process against the virus will also be required to take a day two PCR test when entering Britain and follow quarantine rules until they receive the negative result of the COVID-19 test.
Over 19,530,400 people have contracted the Coronavirus in the UK since the start of the pandemic, while the virus caused the death of a total of 162,738 people, based on the data provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The same source reveals that in the last two weeks, 294,904 people have tested positive for the virus in the last seven days, while 309 people have died during the same period.
Still, despite such figures, authorities in the UK have decided to lift the majority of restrictions imposed due to the Coronavirus, considering it more like an endemic disease.
Besides, authorities in the UK have announced that a total of 86 percent of the population in Britain have completed their immunization process against the virus. In addition, they have confirmed that a total of 67 percent of the population has taken the third dose known as the booster shot.
“As we learn to live with COVID-19, we’re taking further steps to open up international travel once again ahead of the Easter holidays,” Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid pointed out in this regard.
Even amid the ongoing pandemic, Britain’s government is attempting to help the country’s industries to recover from the damages caused by the virus and also help its travel and tourism sector after it has been among the most affected industries by the restrictions imposed by authorities in the UK.