Travellers from the United States and countries in the European Union, who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus, will be allowed to enter England without the need to quarantine from next week.
Grant Shapps announced the new rules for international travellers, which will come into force at 4am on Monday (August 2).
Currently, only travellers who have received two doses of a vaccine in the UK are permitted to enter from an amber country – such as the US and most of the EU – without self-isolating for 10 days, except those returning from France.
But ministers have decided to extend the exemption to those vaccinated in the US and the EU.
Transport secretary Mr Shapps said: “We’re helping reunite people living in the US and European countries with their family and friends in the UK.”
It has not been announced whether the change will apply to people arriving in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Travellers will still be required to take a pre-departure test, and a PCR test on or before the second day after their arrival.
Mr Shapps also announced that international cruises will be permitted to restart from ports in England.
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said the government had made “the right decision”.
He said: “We will now work with colleagues in the industry to boost UK trade, reunite family and friends, and generate billions in new tourist income.”
Sean Doyle, British Airways chief executive, said the move “will allow us to reunite loved ones and get global Britain back in business”.
All arrivals from France will still need to quarantine after the government removed the exemption over concerns over the spread of the Beta variant.
