Leaders welcome UK government's stance on US travel
The government is right to allow full-vaccinated arrivals from the US into the UK without the need to quarantine - even if the arrangement isn 't reciprocated.
That 's the view of transatlantic business leaders, who say there is already a huge demand for flights among people who do business on both side of the Atlantic.
Since 2 August, US citizens and British expats living in the US have been allowed to travel to the UK quarantine-free providing they are fully vaccinated.
However, the US remains closed to non-citizens in the UK regardless of their vaccination status.
Duncan Edwards, chief executive of BritishAmerican Business - of which the Transatlantic Chamber is part - said business people are keen to resume travel between the two countries.
He said: “It is terrific news that the UK have opened up quarantine-free travel to the UK for doubly vaccinated British expats living in the US and for US citizens too.
“We have strongly encouraged the UK government to take this step even if it is not reciprocated by the US which continues to keep the border closed to non-citizens who have been in the UK, regardless of vaccination status.
“Businesspeople want to travel, to see their customers, suppliers and colleagues and there is already a huge demand for flights. ”
BritishAmerican Business has vowed to carry on lobbying the US government for a change in its travel policy.
Mr Edwards believes the stance from Washington is more to do with public opinion than the risk posed by travellers.
He added: “The US government position is hard to justify but perhaps easier to understand.
“It seems to have nothing to do with the incremental risk posed by vaccinated travellers from the UK (and EU) and everything to do with concern about public opinion and probable media criticism� essentially the same issues that caused the UK to delay its decision for two months.
“Either way, this is a step in the right direction, and we will keep asking the US government to make the change. ”