News that the easing of quarantine restrictions for arrivals to the UK from overseas only applies to those with NHS-administered vaccines, and not those received abroad, has come as a blow to millions of Britons living overseas who’ve been unable to visit loved ones over the past year.

With many countries having agreed to accept proof of vaccinations from abroad, it’s another unfortunate example of the UK Government’s incompetence and isolation. At best, we hope this is just a technical oversight; at worst, this is a political decision. 

Whatever the reason, the effect on Britons living abroad is the same: it’s dashed the hopes of many who have been longing for family visits.

Whilst the Government has said that this will change in a later phase, they have not committed to timelines, nor said which countries will be included.

We, the undersigned, therefore urge the UK Government to accept proof of vaccination from abroad to allow quarantine-free visits to the UK as a matter of urgency, and commit to a date by which they will do so.