There is no immediate threat of a change to the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ to include Covid-booster jabs for travellers, say senior aviation sources.
A report at the weekend warned UK travellers “who fail to take booster jabs face renewed restrictions”, suggesting ministers are “drawing up plans to reimpose quarantine and testing for those who refuse”.
But a source told Travel Weekly: “Our understanding is the booster shot forms part of being fully vaccinated [without a need for additional certification]. Bringing that in at the current time would mean the majority in the UK would be deemed not fully vaccinated. It doesn’t seem feasible. Look how long it has taken to get to the level of two vaccinations.
“Unless there is international alignment, it would cause all sorts of complexity. One would hope they wait until after the winter.”
The source added: “The system feels pretty stable for now. We don’t sense any real concern from ministers. What would create an immediate reaction would be if a new variant appears anywhere.”
The government announced a further easing of restrictions on Monday, extending recognition of vaccines to those made in China – which will benefit arrivals “from countries such as the UAE, Malaysia and India” – and confirming all under-18 arrivals in England will be treated as fully vaccinated from November 22.
It also confirmed it will continue to review the ‘red list’ every three weeks and “not hesitate” to add countries.
The source described retaining the red list as “sensible”, arguing: “To remove the policy could cause all sorts of problems down the track.”
Austria and Israel have imposed time limits on the validity of vaccinations for travellers without booster jabs. Israel has a 180-day limit and Austria 360 days.
Other countries setting time limits on the validity of Covid vaccinations unless people have booster shots include Croatia, Lithuania and Switzerland, while in France people over 65 will be allowed to enter restaurants, travel by intercity train or attend cultural events from December 15 only of they have proof of a booster.
Booster jabs are currently available in the UK to over-50s, health workers and the clinically vulnerable.
More than 11.4 million people in the UK have received a Covid-19 booster or third jab, the government announced on Thursday.
Virgin Atlantic chief excutive Shai Weiss expressed the hope that Covid tests could soon be removed for vaccinated travellers as the US border reopened on Monday.
He told Travel Weekly: “We have to get back to a position of no testing. It could be possible by the beginning of next year.”