UK government ministers have confirmed this week that they are considering relaxing restrictions surrounding international travel for Brits who have had both doses of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
As is being reported by the Telegraph, Sky News, and The Guardian, changes are being considered to the traffic light travel system under – where countries are graded according to their COVID case and jab rate to determine the need for isolation for travellers returning from them to the UK.
A government spokesperson has told Sky News that it is “working with industry for a safe return to international travel, guided by one overwhelming priority – public health”.
They added: “Recognising the strong strategic rationale and success of the vaccine programme, we have commenced work to consider the role of vaccinations in shaping a different set of health and testing measures for inbound travel.”
If the new plan is approved, it could mean that Brits who are fully vaccinated will not need to quarantine upon their return from some of the most popular destinations – including the US and several countries across Europe.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock is said to be open to the idea, according to the Telegraph.
The government is said to be “looking at all the options” for easing international travel restrictions / Credit: JetShoots (Unsplash)
The relaxing of international travel restrictions for the fully-vaccinated may also help appease a furious air travel industry – with Ryanair and the owner of the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) having launched legal action against the government this morning.
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Papers have been filed to the High Court to seek clarity over the transparency of the traffic light system amid frustration over the lack of green list destinations.
Green: Arrivals must take a pre-departure test and PCR test before their return to the UK – but will not need to quarantine when they arrive.
Amber: Arrivals must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Britain and take a pre-departure test, as well as two further PCR tests.
Red: Arrivals must stay for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel, taking a pre-departure test and two further PCR tests.
Only a handful of countries currently appear on the UK’s “green list” for travel, where tourists are not required to quarantine once they return.
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At present, Brits are being advised not to travel to “amber list” countries – which includes popular holiday hotspots such as Spain and France – as government guidelines state that they must quarantine at home for 10 days after upon return.
But the introduction of relaxed international travel rules could mean breaks to amber list countries would be permitted for those fully-vaccinated just as the summer holiday season gets in full swing.
Jesse Norman, the financial secretary to the Treasury, told Kay Burley on Sky News this morning that the government was “certainly looking at all the options here”, adding that: “We don’t want to get left behind by countries which may be adopting a two jabs approach if it can be done safely and if it can be done carefully and securely.”
Tory MP @Jesse_Norman says the govt is "looking at all the options" in relation to letting fully-vaccinated Britons travel abroad more easily.
He also admitted that the idea that under-30s – the majority of whom have only recently had the chance to get their first jab – would be discriminated against if travel restrictions were based on vaccination status was “certainly a consideration to be borne in mind”.
“Of course the under-30s do not have anything like the same vulnerability to the disease that people older do,” he added.
BBC confirm Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the season
Danny Jones
Following reports late on Monday evening, the BBC has now officially revealed Gary Lineker is leaving Match of the Day at the end of the current Premier League campaign.
Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day (MotD) since 1999, is set to leave the long-standing British TV and sporting institution after 25 seasons but will still remain associated with the BBC on various other projects moving forward.
Confirming the news on Tuesday, 12 November, the network said that while his MotD tenure will conclude come May 2025, “The BBC and Gary Lineker have agreed in principle a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup”.
The former footballer will also continue to host the MOTD Top Ten podcast and his The Rest is Football podcast on BBC Sounds alongside fellow co-presenters Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
Gary Lineker will step down as host of Match of the Day at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/BkHUScf9TK
Lineker said: “I’m delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen.”
The ex-Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Spurs player was famously suspended from the show back in March 2023 after comments made about the previous Conservative government’s “dangerous” rhetoric.
Shearer and Ian Wright (‘Wrighty’ having also announced he will be leaving the show at the end of the season) both walked out in solidarity with their close friend and colleague before being reinstated after issuing an official apology.
Putting the brief separation aside, Lineker has enjoyed a long and prosperous relationship with the BBC for more than two and a half decades and when the title race does conclude at the end of next spring, he will have been one of the most recognisable faces in British football for 26 years.
Many have rightly pointed out that he served as the Des Lynam – the former MoTDhost for 11 years – for multiple generations of young football fans.
Timing makes sense as it’s more common for fans get their coverage elsewhere and quicker nowadays. Big shoes to fill regardless however but Lynham had a huge legacy too when Gary replaced him.
This past August marked Match of the Day‘s 60th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running programmes in British TV history, and to say that the household name and ever-entwined Walkers ambassador has made up nearly half of that is no mean feat.
Lineker has yet to issue a personal response via any channels by the official BBC statement, but viewers can expect to address the situation on the likes of The Rest is Football soon enough.
Thanks for the memories, Gary – especially for honouring your promise and hosting in those comically big white undies.
Marcus Rashford pays heartwarming surprise visit to Manchester school
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Marcus Rashford is backing warming hearts and bringing smiles to young faces once again after he paid a surprise visit to a local school.
The Man United forward and England international emerged as a national hero during the lockdown through his support for the free school meals campaign, even earning an MBE for his services to charity, and has continued to offer his services outside of football ever since.
Club members regularly engage in community outreach through official United Foundation events, but this time Rashford decided to team up with fellow non-profit Football Beyond Borders (FBB) – an education and social inclusion charity he’s worked with for some time – to make some kids very happy.
During a recent session at The Barlow RC High School in Didsbury, children in the classroom were caught off-guard when the 27-year-old footballer popped his head around the door and came to sit in on a session. Here’s their reaction.
Just look at their faces – we’ll never get over the wide-eyed stares clips like produce. The week in and week out of actual game day aside, this is what football’s all about.
Although one particular pupil had sniffed a surprise in their midst, excitedly repeating, “I told you, what did I say?!”, it’s fair to say that the entire room was still stunned to see the United number 10 just casually walk into the room.
We especially like the moment when Rashford sits down next to one of the unsuspecting students and can’t stop double-taking to his friend, all the while grinning his head off – well, him and everyone else in attendance at the school for the surprise visit, adults included.
Taking place before this past weekend’s Premier League fixtures, the Wythenshawe winger then proceeds to join the aspiring young players out on the school pitch along with the other FBB ambassadors, who recently celebrated 10 years of vital work,
Naturally, the responses underneath videos have been as equally wholesome as you would expect; one person commented, “Forget the football, Marcus Rashford is a top, top man. Nothing but respect”, while another said, “I respect the leadership and the guy really cares. Rare…”
A third went on to write: “A very grounded footballer. Remembers and knows what it’s like to be at the bottom and work your way up. Has done more for people in this country than people running this country! Respect.”
While his performances may not have been their best, both in his eyes and that of the fans at this present moment, many more simply went on to add that it “was nice to see him smiling” and when you’re doing important and inspiring work like this in your hometown, you can only admire and applaud.
As is the nature of the beautiful game, the goals will no doubt start flowing again eventually but in the meantime, well done to Rashford for continuing to be a legend on and off the pitch.
The Manc -
17th June 2021 
