All of Sweden's neighboring countries and a further 30 European countries are included in the British government's list of countries whose citizens are allowed to enter the UK.

Travelers from, among others, Germany, Italy and Spain will thus no longer have to quarantine for two weeks after entering. 

"Today's message marks the next step in gently opening our country again," says Britain's Transport Minister Grant Shapps, according to the Reuters news agency.

"Close dialogue"

But Sweden - along with, among others, the hard-corona-affected USA, Russia and Brazil - is still red-listed by the British government. Swedes will still be forced into quarantine.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it respects the British government's message and follows developments closely.

- Each country is responsible for its own infection control and its actions linked to it. We will continue to have a close dialogue with the UK about the travel restrictions, says Anton Dahlquist, press communicator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Swiss quarantine requirement

The new rules will take effect on July 10. The exemption from the quarantine rules applies to entry into England and not to the rest of the UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced lighter restrictions, according to Reuters.

Switzerland also continues to require that Swedes be quarantined. The government presented a list on Thursday where Sweden, as one of six countries, receives red light.