Welsh Government not happy with UK Goverment removing quarantine rules for 'double jabbed' arrivals from EU and US

Travellers visiting Wales who have been fully vaccinated in the the EU or America does not need to self isolate on arrival from in a few days.

The Welsh Government have followed England and Scotland in allowing the change, which will come into force at 4am on Monday August 2, despite saying they "regret" the UK government's decision.

Currently, only individuals who received their jabs in the united kingdom can avoid quarantine when arriving from amber list countries, except France.

Read more: Nearly all coronavirus restrictions in Wales set to become lifted on August 7

The modification to self isolation rules came into force in Wales on July 19. At the time, First Minister Mark Drakeford also said he disagreed using the decision but acknowleged the difficulties imposed having an open border.

Although the Welsh Government has responsibility for many from the coronavirus guidelines, as foreign affairs are largely not devolved and also the UK's biggest airports have been in England, decisions produced by the united kingdom Government undoubtedly impact how international travel – and subsequent self isolation – is imposed.

Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health insurance and Social Services echoed these concerns today stating: "We regret the united kingdom Government's proposals to help remove quarantine requirements. However, once we share an open border with England it would be ineffective introducing separate arrangements for Wales. Therefore, we will be aligning using the other UK administrations and implementing this decision for Wales."

UK Government Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the rule change would apply to those who have been fully vaccinated with a jab approved by the EU or US.

Plans are also being checked out so those who are fully vaccinated won't have to self-isolate if they come into close connection with somebody who has tested positive.

Within plan announced on July 14 detailing the following steps for Wales easing its Covid restrictions, the Welsh Government said it is working to take away the requirement of people who are fully vaccinated to self-isolate if they're a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

A ultimate decision will be made prior to the next review, due by August 5.

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Currently, when the public health situation continues to be same, almost all coronavirus restrictions on people and businesses in Wales are going to be lifted on Saturday, August 7.

From that date, you'll also have no legal limits on the number of people who are able to meet others indoors, including in private homes. All premises would be able to open and many, although not all, restrictions is going to be removed.

Also from August 7, masks does not need to be worn in hospitality settings but will continue to be required by law in many indoor public places as well as on trains and buses.

It means Wales is following a much the same timetable to Scotland that is set to lift all restrictions from August 9.

In response to today's change in self isolation rules, Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services said: "Today the UK Government has decided to permit travellers from the EU and US who have been fully vaccinated to visit the united kingdom without needing to self-isolate on arrival.

"There remain clear public health problems posed by re-opening international travel and removing quarantine restrictions to all of us and EU fully vaccinated amber arrivals at this time.

"Without self-isolation requirements upon arrival there is a greater risk of importing cases and variants of concern (VoCs) from abroad. Vaccines will reduce this risk, as long as they work effectively against VoCs. For this reason we still caution against international travel for non-essential reasons come july 1st."

She added: "We look to the UK Government to provide assurances that processes come in place to ensure those travelling in to the United kingdom has been fully vaccinated. Also, by doing this, we will still press the UK Government for reassurances that it'll be maintaining consistent and powerful PCR surveillance – including pre-departure tests, PCR testing on day 2 and the genomic sequencing of results as one mitigation against importing vaccine escape variants."

Do you accept the announcement about relaxing restrictions in Wales? Tell us in the comments.