UK PM Boris Johnson discussing travel corridor with US amid Delta threat: Report

Britain’s strict travel rules owing to the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the airline and tourism industry, drawing flak for falling behind European Union in attracting tourists.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is discussing a travel corridor with the United States as the UK’s decision to allow fully vaccinated US and EU travellers without needing to quarantine is expected shortly, reported news agency Reuters. Britain’s strict travel rules owing to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic has severely affected the airline and tourism industry, drawing flak for falling behind European Union in attracting tourists.

Earlier this month, Britain removed almost all restrictions related to Covid-19. (Reuters)

According to LBC radio, Johnson said he wanted fully vaccinated US nationals to visit England as they did before the pandemic. "We want people to be able to come from the US freely in a way that they normally do. We're talking to them the whole time," LBC quoted Johnson as saying in an interview.

Both the US and UK are witnessing another Covid-19 wave driven by a highly transmissible Delta variant but the countries are relying on high vaccination coverage to open up economies. While each of the four individual nations of Britain has the right to set different entry restrictions during the pandemic, any easing of travel restrictions could provide a huge boost to the travel industry reeling under 16 months of restrictions.

Earlier this month, Britain removed almost all restrictions related to Covid-19 and opened up international travel under which fully vaccinated Britons and children under the age of 18 will no longer have to quarantine. The UK is reportedly set to announce similar relaxation for visitors from the US and the EU. Currently, non-Britons travelling to the UK from countries and territories on the “amber list” are required to quarantine for at least 10 days.

(With inputs from agencies)