CHILDREN and fully vaccinated adults will not have to quarantine on their return to England from amber list countries from July 19.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps detailed his plans to MPs on Thursday to free up foreign holidays as coronavirus restrictions are eased.

He confirmed that holidaymakers from the UK who have received two jabs will no longer be required to self-isolate for 10 days on their return to England from destinations on the amber list.

People aged under 18 will also be exempted from the requirement and the guidance not to travel to countries on the amber list will be lifted from July 19, when the majority of restrictions are expected to be eased in England.

Mr Shapps said people returning from holidays from amber destinations, such as France, Spain, and Portugal, will still be required to take a Covid-19 test three days before returning.

They will also have to take a test on or before the second day of their return, but will be exempted from the day eight test.

Chris Harrison, Managing Director of travel agents Dawson & Sanderson said: "It's great news. It's a real step in the right direction.

"It means that we are now starting to get our travel freedoms back.

"It opens up most of the mainstream tourist areas."

Mr Harrison also said it is a "common myth" that PCR tests are very expensive, and that they have suppliers that can provide them for as little as £20pp.

With international travel being heavily restricted since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Harrison said: "I think it will be a massive relief for many people."

He added that the website for Dawson & Sanderson, who have a branch in Hexham, has seen a 40 per cent increase in traffic in the last two nights prior to the announcement.

An expansion of countries on the green list would now be welcome too, Mr Harrison said.