England lifted most of its domestic COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, despite a massive surge in COVID cases. This decision was taken at a time when the coronavirus infection was rising further and also dropped quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated UK's residents.
The UK government, declaring 19 July "Freedom Day", ended all remaining restrictions and urged the British public to remain cautious. The decision is being strongly criticized by some of the renowned medical professionals who have always been at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 global pandemic.
From 4 a.m. on 19 July, people in England will no longer be required to be in complete quarantine for 10 days upon arrival from Amber List countries and are not required to take COVID-19 tests on Day 2 and 8th. Rather they will have to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test on or before 2 days on arrival in England. They will not need to be quarantined until the second day's test result is positive. Upon arrival in England, these rules only apply to UK residents if they have been fully vaccinated in the UK with an NHS administered vaccine under the vaccination programme.
In the Amber List rule which is fully vaccinated in the UK - before travelling to England, children aged 10 and under do not need to conduct COVID-19 tests. While children 4 years of age and below do not need to do this test when they arrive in England. Under the Amber Rules, those who are not fully vaccinated in the UK will have to quarantine at home or at the place where they are staying for 10 days on arrival in England.
On arrival from countries with amber people will have to show proof of their vaccination status to their carrier (ferry, airline or train), you can get it digital version using the NHS app or online NHS COVID pass service. NHS COVID pass are not available for children below 18 years of age.
Non-UK residents arriving from amber listed countries in England still required to quarantine now but by the end of this year the government will relax these rules. Countries for entry into England are classified by red, amber and green list rules, similar to UK's road traffic lights system. A list of countries and regulations can be seen here.
Also, people on arrival from Red list countries will only be allowed to enter the UK if they are a British or Irish citizen, or have the right to residence in the UK. They are required to book a quarantine hotel package, which also includes 2 COVID-19 tests, before traveling to England.
There has been no change in the rules for those traveling to England from Green List countries or territories. Countries where the rate of infection is low and vaccination rate is high. Even if they have been fully vaccinated, they will required to take a PCR before and after travel. Unless their test results are positive, they need not quarantine.
The other nations of the UK's, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the rule does not apply to these developed countries despite the decision of Johnson's government, they were maintaining some COVID-19 restrictions. This health policy rules only applies in England.
Amid a huge surge in cases by the highly infectious Delta version, England has reopened the nation on July 19, barring almost all domestic COVID-19 rules. The 1-meter social distancing rule has been removed and masks have become largely voluntary in social distancing guidelines. Declaring "Independence Day," movie theatres and nightclubs reopened for the first time since the lockdown in England on Monday, And entertainment and hospitality sectors are reopening fully.
On Wednesday 14 July, London's mayor Sadiq Khan said in a tweet that the : "there is overwhelming evidence that face masks reduce the transmission of COVID. Face masks will stay compulsory on services – to protect vulnerable Londoners and give everyone the confidence to travel."
However, some local leaders in England have also questioned the lifting of the ban, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan. But in London, it will still be mandatory to wear masks in crowded areas such as public transport (tubes, buses, trams, DLR, overground and TFL rail). The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home, if possible, they can return to the workplace.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in the announcement to reopen the country, "This is the right time for us, but we need to do it carefully." But he refers to the rampant vaccination rates in England that have weakened the link between infections and deaths. Britain has seen the highest number of deaths in the world from COVID-19 infection. Under the UK's vaccination programme, 87.8% of the adult population has received approximately one dose of the vaccine, while 67.8% have received a second dose.
After Boris Johnson lifted the ban in England, Wales is also lifting its highest COVID-19 restrictions, but masks will be recommended in public crowded areas. In Northern Ireland, masks are still required in public areas.
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