Gov’t actively working on quarantine exemption for vaccinated travellers

The option to skip quarantine on return from an amber list country for vaccinated holidaymakers is looking more likely to happen.

Health Minister Matt Hancock confirmed officials are looking at how to implement an exemption for vaccinated travellers.

Currently travel to amber list countries is not recommended and people who do are required to isolate for 10 days on their return.

"This hasn’t been clinically advised yet, we’re working on it. But it’s absolutely something we’re working on and it’s something I want to see," Hancock told Sky News.

"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."

Hancock said the NHS App will be key to enable travellers to show proof of their vaccination

"We can now, all of us, see our vaccine status on the NHS App. It’s important because we know other countries are going to say that they want proof."

PM Boris Johnson has also hinted at behind the scenes discussions but warned of ‘a difficult year for travel.’

"There will be hassle, there will be delays, I am afraid, because the priority has got to be to keep the country safe and stop the virus coming back in," Johnson said.