UPDATE 1-UK scraps quarantine for fully vaccinated Britons

(Recasts with govt confirmation)

LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - Fully-vaccinated Britons
returning from medium-risk amber list countries will no longer
have to quarantine when they arrive home from July 19, transport
secretary Grant Shapps said on Thursday.

The rule change will be a huge boost to airlines and the
travel industry who have been brought to their knees by 15
months of restrictions. In Britain, 65% of adults have been
fully vaccinated, opening up travel for millions.

"I can confirm today that from the 19th of July, UK
residents who are fully vaccinated through the UK vaccine
rollout will no longer have to self isolate when they return to
England," Shapps said.

The need to quarantine on return had prevented a travel
recovery. Under previous rules, those returning to Britain from
its top destinations, Spain, France, the United States and
Italy, all had to self-isolate for 10 days.

Shapps said that returning Britons would still have take a
COVID-19 test before they arrive home and then a second test on
or before day two.

Children under the age of 18 will not have to self-isolate
Shapps said, but they will still need to take tests.

Airlines including British Airways, easyJet
and Ryanair have repeatedly called for an end to
quarantine.

Shapps said, however, they will have to wait longer for
non-Britons to be exempt from quarantine.

"We're working to extend our approach to vaccinated
passengers from important markets and holiday destinations,
later this summer, such as the United States and the EU," he
said.

Bookings for the crucial peak late July and August holiday
season are now expected to soar given the rule change.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Paul Sandle; editing by William
James)