Britain ends quarantine mandate for travelers from 70 nations

July 10 (UPI) -- The British government on Friday ended COVID-19 quarantine rules for travelers from more than 70 countries, but the United States, China and Russia remain on the restricted list.

Among the nations cleared from the quarantine list are France, Germany, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan and Hong Kong. Italy and Spain, two countries that have logged hundreds of thousands of cases, were also removed from the list.

"These countries have been assessed as no longer presenting an unacceptably high risk to British people traveling abroad," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said in a statement. "Travel advice is based on risks to British nationals, including in-country public health assessments."

Travelers from nations on the quarantine list must self-isolate for 14 days. The restriction took effect in June.

In addition to the United States, China and Russia, other nations still on the restricted list include Portugal, Mexico, Brazil, Iran, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The British government said Thursday nonessential businesses like beauty salons, tanning shops and tattooists will be allowed re-open on Monday.

Outdoor pools, theaters, operas and dance and music locations can begin to open outdoors this weekend. Indoor gyms, swimming pools and dance studios will be allowed to re-open on July 25.