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Jan 24, 2022 - World

U.K. to lift travel testing requirement for fully vaccinated

Oriana Gonzalez
Picture taken from above of three tables and people talking around the tables
Arriving passengers speak to staff at the entrance to the COVID-19 testing center in London's Heathrow Airport . Photo: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images

The British government said Monday that it will lift the COVID-19 testing requirement for fully vaccinated people arriving in England.

State of play: Those who are not fully vaccinated "will only need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after arriving in England," British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted.

  • Currently, travelers are required to get tested two days before departing to England. Those requirements will stay in place until Feb. 11.

What they're saying: "Making the right calls at the right time on vaccines and boosters means we now have one of the most open travel sectors in the world," Shapps said.

  • "Scaling back restrictions before half term means a simpler [travel] experience for passengers, especially the fully vaccinated, and stability for the sector throughout 2022," he added.
  • British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that removing the testing requirement for the vaccinated will "show that this country is open for business, open for travelers," per AP.
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