United Kingdom exempts some countries from travel quarantine but Canada isn't one of them

The United Kingdom has announced that travellers to the countrywho have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the European Union or United States will be exempt from mandatory quarantine upon arrival but fully vaccinated travellers from Canada will still have to undergo quarantine.

The change goes into effect on Aug.2, according to a news releasesent out Wednesdayby the U.K. government, which made the decision affecting England. The ScottishgovernmentandWelsh governmentlater sent out releases confirming that both those countries would adopt the same policy.Thegovernment of Northern Irelandfollowed suit on Thursday, bringing the United Kingdom into alignment.

"Passengers who are fully vaccinated in theEUwith vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or in theUSAwith vaccines authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or in the Swiss vaccination programme, will be able to travel to England without having to quarantine or take a day 8 test on arrival," the news release from the U.K. government says.

France is a notable exception travellers to the U.K. from that country will still have to quarantine, even if they are fully vaccinated.

The exemption applies to some European countries outside the EU, such as Norway and Iceland.

While the U.K. Department for Transport has confirmed forCBC Newsthat the change does not apply to Canadians, no reason has been givenfor the exclusion.

In a statement issuedto CBC News, aDepartment for Transport spokesperson did not say why Canadians are not exempt.

"We are taking a phased approach to restarting international travel while protecting public health," the statement says. "We want to welcome all international visitors back to the U.K. and are working to extend our approach to vaccinated passengers fromimportant marketsand holiday destinations."

A spokesperson for the British High Commission in Ottawa issued a similar statement to CBC News.

"Ensuring safe and open travel is a priority and we are engaging with international partners on certification to ensure travel for vaccinated people is unhindered in the future,"says that statement.

Travellers from Canada to the U.K. will still have toquarantine at home or in the placethey'restaying for 10 days, and take a COVID-19 test on or after their eighth day in the country. A few exceptions apply one of which coverstravellers who have been vaccinated in the U.K. A full list of rules can be found on the Department for Transport's website.

Almost 64per cent of Canadians aged 12 and over havereceived two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according toweekly data releasedby the federal government. That's higher than the rate of full vaccination among the same age group in the United States, according to data from the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to VisitBritain, the official touristboard for Great Britain, travellers from Canada made around 874,061visits to the U.K. in 2019.

Travellers from the United States, meanwhile,madejust under 4.5 million visits, making the U.S.the top country for inbound visitors to the U.K. France, Germany, Ireland and Spain round out the top fiveall of them EU members.

In a statement, aspokesperson for Global Affairs Canada declined to comment directly on the decision.

"The United Kingdom's decision regarding quarantine exemptions is a decision made solely by the Government of the United Kingdom. For further questions on this decision, we kindly refer you to the High Commission of the United Kingdom in Canada," it reads.

"The government of Canada has consistently and repeatedly advised against non-essential travel outside of Canada since March 2020."

When asked about the change in travel rulesat an announcement in Vancouver today, Deputy Prime MinisterChrystia Freelandsaid she respects the decision.

"I have a great deal of respect for every country'ssovereign right to decide during COVIDwho can come into the country and on what terms," she said.

WATCH: Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freelandsays she respects the right of Britain to control their borders during the pandemic

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says she respects the right of Britain to control their borders during the pandemic

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Freeland was reacting to the U.K. government announcing that travellers vaccinated in most EU countries and the United States will not have to undergo quarantine upon entering England and Scotland but Canadians will.

Michael Matheson, the Scottish transport secretary, cited the success of the vaccine rollout in the U.S. and EU as a reasonfor the decision.

"This has only been made possible due to the overwhelming success of our vaccination programme here in Scotland when coupled with successful rollouts of vaccination schemes in the EU and U.S.," he said in a news release.

"Fully vaccinated travellers will be able to travel to Scotland under this significant relaxation of international travel measures, providing a boost for the tourism sector and wider economy while ensuring public health is protected."

Scotland says it's accepting both the EU Digital COVIDCertificate and the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention"white card" as proof of vaccination.

Wales reluctantly signs on

Although Walesagreedto the change of policy, Welsh Minister for Health and Social ServicesEluned Morgansaid in a mediastatement that the Welsh government "regrets"the U.K. government's decision. She cited concerns about importing coronavirus variants of concern.

"We regret the U.K. government's proposals to further remove quarantine requirements. However, as we share an open border with England it would be ineffective to introduce separate arrangements for Wales," she said.

"Therefore, we will be aligning with the other U.K. administrations and implementing this decision for Wales. We look to the U.K. government to provide assurances that processes will be in place to ensure those travelling in to the U.K. have been fully vaccinated."