Travel awaits as England to end quarantine

Britain will end quarantines for people arriving in England from more than 50 countries, authorities announced on Friday (July 3).

Travellers from Germany, France, Spain and Italy are all welcome, but not from the U.S..

The move due to come in from July 10 clears the way for millions of British tourists to take summer holidays without having to be quarantined when they come home.

But those heading back from higher-risk countries will still have to self-isolate for 14 days.

The rules only apply in England.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not announced plans to lift quarantine rules.

The full list of countries has not been published yet, but the U.S. will stay on a so-called 'red list'.

British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there is no reciprocal arrangement in place with the U.S. as of yet.

The government said it expected countries on the quarantine-free list to relax their own restrictions for British travellers.

Three of Europe’s biggest airlines have now ended a legal challenge against the British government, due to the new rules scrapping quarantine for some travellers.

British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet, had criticized the quarantine policy, saying it dealt a catastrophic blow to the industry this summer.

Britain is slowly reopening its economy.

England and Northern Ireland will reopen pubs this weekend, and Scotland and Wales are expected to follow later in July.