Easyjet warns travel rules could benefit-rich Travel bosses have given a cautious welcome to the announcement that fully vaccinated travellers getting back from amber-list countries won’t need to self-isolate after 19 July. EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren said he didn’t want to work out “a return to flying being a preserve of the rich”. “Expensive testing could sadly make travel out of reach for a few,” he said. Airlines and airports said lots of people could have a more normal summer, but there was still work to try to do. The need to quarantine on return had hindered a travel industry recovery. Under previous rules, those returning to Britain from its top destinations, Spain, France, the US and Italy, all had to self-isolate for up to 10 days. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the Commons, however, that Britons getting back from amber list destinations would still have to take a Covid-19 test before they arrive home and so a second test on or before day two. Children under the age of 18 won’t self-isolate but will have to take tests. there’s no change to red-list travel restrictions. Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “This is superb news which will provide a much-needed boost to variant people across Britain looking forward to a more normal summer and reuniting with family and friends abroad. “But the task isn’t done,” he said, adding: “The UK should open up visit fully vaccinated people from more countries – particularly our key partners within the US – by the tip of July.” He said Heathrow was “working closely” with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to demonstrate this might be done safely, with checks on departure, and no need for delays at immigration on arrival. Dame Irene Hays, boss of independent factor Hays Travel, told the BBC she was “absolutely delighted” by the move. “I think it is a huge step within the right direction,” she said, adding that it came at the correct time for all those whose holidays had been cancelled last year and who had been “sitting there with their fingers crossed” hoping permanently news. She acknowledged that there have been still “some constraints”, especially involving testing, but advised would-be holidaymakers to possess good travel insurance. 2px presentational grey line What are the new travel rules for double-jabbed passengers? Fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will not quarantine from 19 July They still have to get PCR tests before and after their return, but won’t need each day 8 test The rules apply to people 14 days after their final dose of the vaccine Under-18s arriving from amber list places will be exempt from quarantine The guidance that individuals shouldn’t visit amber list countries also will be aloof from 19 July The next review of nations on the green, red and amber lists are on 15 July – next Thursday But “an amber list country could still turn red”, warned Mr Shapps, meaning hotel quarantine would become a requirement Anyone arriving in England from a red list country must still come in government-managed hotel quarantine 2px presentational grey line Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: “This is that the news that UK holidaymakers are looking forward to, because it finally signals a meaningful restart to international travel.” He said his firm would restart flights and holidays to any or all amber-list destinations from 19 July onwards. Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said the announcement was “a positive development” that provided “assurance for consumers and businesses who can now book and travel with greater confidence”. Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate described the new rules as “another small step within the right direction”. “However, with summer holidays just around the corner, we are approaching a vital time for our industry and that we urge the government to get rid of other barriers inhibiting international travel, including the requirement for costly PCR tests for people who are double vaccinated,” he added. British Airways chief executive and chairman Sean Doyle welcomed what he called a “common-sense approach which is already working safely for several other countries”. “But there’s more work to try to do,” he added. “While the quarantine requirement for ‘amber’ countries is being lifted for fully vaccinated UK travellers, the govt must quickly extend this to any or all vaccinated travellers, agree a reciprocal accommodate the US, add more countries to the ‘green’ list and reduce the necessity for unnecessary, expensive tests.” Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines UK, said it had been “a positive move towards the real reopening the world has been looking for”. “We now urge the govt to continue this momentum by adding more countries to the green list next week and removing onerous testing requirements at its next review on 31 July, thereby opening up more non-quarantine jaunt all.”
Australia - Egypt