Update 27 July: The government announced this weekend that travellers from Spain would need to quarantine for two weeks upon return to England. 

From Monday 10 July, the self-isolation guidance for those returning to England will be lifted when people visit certain destinations which have been certified as posing a reduced risk to public health.

These ‘travel corridors’ include France, Germany, Italy and Spain in Europe, as well as countries further afield such as Australia, Bahamas, Hong Kong and Turkey. Click the link for the full list of travel corridor countries and territories.

Ireland is already exempt as part of the common travel area, as are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Notable exclusions from the list include China, Portugal and the USA.

While this means people returning to England whether via air, sea, rail or road, will no longer need to isolate for 14-days, they will still be required to provide contact information on arrival.

If anyone’s transited through a non-exempt country in the preceding 14 days, they will need to isolate upon returning to England.

The government confirmed the exempted countries and territories will be kept under constant review, so that if the health risks increase, self-isolation measures can be re-introduced to help stop the spread of the virus into England.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has also updated its global advisory against ‘all but essential’ international travel to exempt certain destinations that no longer pose an unacceptably high risk of Covid-19.

These rules apply to those returning to England only as the devolved administrations will set out their own approach to exemptions. As such, passengers returning to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should ensure they follow the laws and guidance which applies there, the Department for Transport urged.

‘Safety remains our watch word’

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said: “Today marks the next step in carefully reopening our great nation. Whether you are a holidaymaker ready to travel abroad or a business eager to open your doors again, this is good news for British people and great news for British businesses.

“The entire nation has worked tirelessly to get to this stage, therefore safety must remain our watch word and we will not hesitate to move quickly to protect ourselves if infection rates rise in countries we are reconnecting with.”