The UK government has confirmed that footballers who are double-vaccinated against Covid-19 will be exempt from a mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine following the upcoming international break.
After the previous break ended in huge disagreements between various governing bodies and international teams, the move has been made to allow players to return to action as soon as possible.
Previously players who travelled to countries on the Government’s red-list were required to quarantine for 10 days upon their return.
However, it has now been confirmed that those particular guidelines have been relaxed for those who have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. However, one caveat added is that players must stay in segregated accommodation near to the training ground despite being permitted to play and train.
On the decision, a government spokesperson said: “We have worked closely with football authorities to achieve an outcome that balances the interests of both club and country while maintaining the highest levels of public health and safety.
“Our best defence against the virus is vaccination and these new measures will allow fully vaccinated players to fulfil their international duties in the safest, most practical way possible, while allowing them to train and play with their clubs as early as possible upon their return.”
The news will of course be a huge boost to clubs in the Premier League, with fully-vaccinated players available for selection should they travel to a red-list country.
The measures should also ensure a repeat of the bizarre scenes witnessed during the September international break, when the likes of Spurs trio Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez were all forced to quarantine in Croatia ahead of their return to the UK having played matches in a red-list country.
Of course, the new rules only apply to those vaccinated, so those travelling without having received two doses will still be required to oversee the mandatory 10-day quarantine period upon their return to the UK.
