While the pandemic has had a profound impact on international travel, restrictions have been easing for some travellers from some countries.
Travellers from the US and the EU, as well as other European countries including Iceland and Switzerland, no longer have to self-isolate on arrival in England if they are fully vaccinated against Covid.
Elsewhere, Canada is among the countries that have said they will welcome travellers who have had both doses of a Covid jab from August, while visitors from the UK will be allowed in from September.
With other countries welcoming in tourists over the summer holidays, it raises the question of whether the US – always a popular destination – might follow suit and open the border for UK travellers in the near future.
Just when will you be able to fly to the US?
When can I fly to US?
Currently, the US border is closed to the majority of UK travellers – with the ban having been in place since March 16 2020.
The Foreign Office website says: ‘It is not possible for most British nationals to enter the USA if they have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen Zone, Brazil, China, South Africa or India within the past 14 days.’
There has been speculation in recent weeks that travel might open up between the US and Europe – amid pressure from airlines and travel companies to open the borders before the end of the summer holiday season.
However, this now looks increasingly unlikely, with the White House saying the borders will remain close in the wake of the Delta variant, which now makes up the majority of cases in the UK and has been responsible for rising case rates in the US in recent weeks.
‘The more transmissible Delta variant is spreading both here and around the world,’ White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a briefing earlier this week.
‘Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely to continue in the weeks ahead.’
As well as the ban on UK citizens and other parts of Europe, the US has said it will keep its border closed to Canadian and Mexican citizens until at least August 21.
Who can visit the US?
US citizens and permanent residents of the US, certain specified close family members and certain other limited categories of visa holders (UN staff and diplomats for example) are exempt from the ban.
Those who do travel need to present evidence of either a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of flying or documentation of recovery from a previous Covid infection.
Fully vaccinated passengers should take a test 3-5 days after arriving in the US, while unvaccinated travellers must take a test 3-5 days after arrival, and self-isolate for seven days.
Can US citizens visit the UK?
fFully vaccinated travellers from the US are now allowed to enter England without having to self-isolate on arrival – amid concerns that the EU is further ahead in welcoming back international visitors.
It follows pressure from the travel industry for a change in the rules to allow tourists to visit the UK more easily.
But despite the change, US tourists are currently being advised not to travel to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.
The US recently placed the UK on its highest alert in the wake of the Delta variant and rising case numbers, with Americans told to ‘avoid travel to the United Kingdom’ altogether – but advised to make sure they are double-vaccinated if their trip is essential.
The guidance added: ‘Because of the current situation in the United Kingdom, even fully vaccinated travellers may be at risk for getting and spreading Covid-19 variants.’
Boris Johnson has since said a travel corridor between the UK and US is being considered.
The prime minister said the US is a ‘massively important partner’ for the UK, so they want people to be able to travel as freely as possible.
Currently, the US is on the amber list, meaning arrivals from there must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, taking a Covid test on days two and eight.
If you are coming to England from the US and have been double vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, you do not need to quarantine, but you will need to produce evidence of a negative test taken three days before travel, and take a test two days after you arrive.
If you have come to the UK via a red list country, or have been in one in the 14 days before you travel, you will need to self-isolate for 10 days in a Government-mandated hotel.
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