In recent months infections have increased significantly, mostly due to the emerging Delta variant, posing a significant health threat to the UK population.
Although the UK has had a very successful rollout of its vaccine to date, the decision was made on the account of the Delta variant becoming increasingly more common in hospitalised patients. This has raised fears among experts that easing restrictions prematurely could lead to an increase in hospitalisations.
The rationale behind delaying the easing of restrictions is largely focused on allowing an increased number of second doses to be administered. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the UK has given approximately 62.2% of its population a single dose of an approved COVID vaccine, with 44.6% of the population having received two doses. The government has reassured that the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/Bio-NTech vaccines, the two main vaccines currently being administered in the UK, are indeed effective against this variant.
Amidst the growing concerns surrounding the Delta variant, countries around Europe have moved to adding the UK onto its mandatory quarantine list, meaning that incoming travellers are forced to undergo quarantine. The most recent travel update from the government for arrivals into the UK states that those arriving from any country, irrespective of list, must still take a COVID-19 test prior to travel.
Those arriving from a red list country must stay in a designated quarantine hotel for 10 days upon arrival, whereas arrivals from amber list countries must take a COVID-19 test on days 2 and 8 post-arrival. Arrivals from green list countries must take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 post-arrival.
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