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Wales Online
Wales Online
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Cathy Owen

UK government working on plans for quarantine-free travel for double-vaccinated people

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed ministers were "working on" plans for quarantine-free travel for double-vaccinated Britons.

He told Sky News on Tuesday: "This hasn't been clinically advised yet - we're working on it.

"We're working on plans to essentially allow the vaccine to bring back some of the freedoms that have had to be restricted to keep people safe.

"After all, that's the whole purpose of the vaccination programme, that's why it's so important that every adult goes out and gets the jab."

Read more: Wales is at the beginning of the third wave

Powers to make people quarantine when they return to the UK are devolved to the administrations in Cardiff Bay, Stormont and Edinburgh. But so far, the Welsh Government has indicated it wants to follow as far as possible a four-nation approach to foreign travel this summer.

Asked if these plans could be in place as soon as August, the Health Secretary replied: "We'll get there when it's safe to do so."

The main NHS App, which is different from the Covid-19 App, is "important" as countries are likely to need proof of vaccination status of Britons travelling abroad.

"We can now, all of us, see our vaccine status, see your testing status, on the NHS App," he said. "Six million people have now downloaded the main NHS App and on that you can show whether you have had the jabs.

"It's important because we know other countries are going to say that they want proof that you have been vaccinated before you go.

"So, when travel is opened up, we are going to make sure people have got that ability to prove it."

Foreign affairs is largely not devolved so decisions made by the UK Government and its relationships with the governments in popular holiday destinations has an impact in Wales.

But First Minister Mark Drakeford has advised people to "take a holiday" in Wales this year, even when international travel resumes.

Mr Hancock said the Government is "on track" for the July 19 easing of restrictions in England, but acknowledged that opening up travel abroad is "more difficult".

"Thankfully, because of the vaccination programme, we have been able to free up a huge number of the restrictions here at home," he said.

"We are on track to deliver the Step 4, the further openings, on July 19, which is good.

"We are also looking to see how we can replace the protections that are currently there with the restrictions with protections that come from the vaccine, with respect to international travel as well.

"But it is more difficult freeing up international travel."

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On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also played down the prospects of any significant easing of travel restrictions for people wanting a foreign holiday any time soon.

He said: "I want to stress that this is going to be, whatever happens, a difficult year for travel. There will be hassle, there will be delays, I'm afraid. Because the priority has got to be to keep the country safe and stop the virus coming back in."

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