EU to scrap coronavirus tests for fully-vaccinated UK tourists

The requirement for fully-vaccinated UK tourists to take a coronavirus test before visiting the European Union is set to be scrapped before the Easter holidays. All fully-vaccinated travellers should be allowed to enter the bloc without any restrictions or conditions, under a recommendation from the EU Council. The council said in a statement that the move is in response to “the evolution of the pandemic” and “the increasing vaccination uptake and administration of booster doses”. Julia Simpson, president and CE of London-based World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), described it as a “sensible decision”. She said: “The patchwork of rules and regulations did nothing to prevent the spread of Covid but did cause immense damage to the economy of Europe causing the loss of jobs and businesses. Now is time to rebuild travel and tourism, and connect Europe to the world.” Italy and the Netherlands are among the EU countries which require UK arrivals to take a pre-departure coronavirus test even if they are fully vaccinated. The EU Council noted that its recommendation to end the rule, which applies from March 1, is “not a legally binding instrument”. It added: “The authorities of the member states remain responsible for implementing the content of the recommendation.”<br/>