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England publishes list of countries travellers can go to without being quarantined on return England publishes list of countries travellers can go to without being quarantined on return
(32 minutes later)
No 10 accused of ‘shambolic’ handling of air bridge list after publication beset by delaysNo 10 accused of ‘shambolic’ handling of air bridge list after publication beset by delays
A host of popular European tourist destinations are on a confirmed list of 59 countries and territories English holidaymakers will be able to visit in so-called “air bridge” arrangements without having to quarantine for a fortnight on their return. A host of popular European tourist destinations are on a confirmed list of 59 countries and territories that English holidaymakers will be able to visit in so-called “air bridge” arrangements without having to quarantine for a fortnight on their return.
Passengers arriving from France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Greece are among those who will be exempt from rules that require a 14-day period of isolation in England under measures introduced on 10 July. The 14 British overseas territories will also be exempt from quarantine requirements, meaning there are 73 countries or territories in total.Passengers arriving from France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Greece are among those who will be exempt from rules that require a 14-day period of isolation in England under measures introduced on 10 July. The 14 British overseas territories will also be exempt from quarantine requirements, meaning there are 73 countries or territories in total.
The government said the list may be added to in the coming days. The government said the list may be expanded in the coming days.
Amid accusations that Downing Street’s handling of the measures had been “shambolic” and concerns over the announcement being beset by delays, the Department for Transport (DfT) finally unveiled on Friday a full list of countries that were part of the “travel corridor” scheme.Amid accusations that Downing Street’s handling of the measures had been “shambolic” and concerns over the announcement being beset by delays, the Department for Transport (DfT) finally unveiled on Friday a full list of countries that were part of the “travel corridor” scheme.
In addition, the DfT said that Ireland was already exempt from quarantine restrictions as it is part of the common travel area, as are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Other locations on the list include Barbados, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam. The DfT issued a reminder that Ireland was already exempt from quarantine restrictions as it is part of the common travel area, as are the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Other locations on the list include Barbados, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and Vietnam.
Under a “traffic light” system, the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has indicated the list will be split into “amber” countries – including most major European countries – which have medium risk of coronavirus infections. Amber-rated countries are likely to have reciprocal arrangements in place meaning English travellers need not quarantine on arrival or return. Under a “traffic light” system, the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has indicated the list will be split into “amber” countries – including most major European countries – which have medium risk of coronavirus infections. Amber-rated countries are likely to have reciprocal arrangements in place, meaning English travellers need not quarantine on arrival or return.
English travellers arriving in “green” countries, which have low levels of infection such as New Zealand, may still face quarantine restriction upon arrival but not when they return home to the UK. Upon publishing the list of countries and territories included on the scheme, the DfT did not provide a breakdown for which countries are in the green or amber categories. English travellers arriving in “green” countries, which have low levels of infection such as New Zealand, may still face quarantine restrictions upon arrival, but not when they return to the UK. The DfT has not yet provided a breakdown of which countries fall in which categories.
The US, which is grappling with a series of severe Covid-19 outbreaks, is not included on the list, meaning the quarantine exemptions do not apply. Portugal, China and Thailand are similarly not included. The US, which is grappling with a series of severe Covid-19 outbreaks, is not included on the list. Portugal, China and Thailand are similarly omitted.
Publication of the list came as ministers hope to revitalise the UK’s ailing tourism and airline industries that have been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic. Ministers are hoping to revitalise the UK’s ailing tourism and airline industries, which have been crippled by the coronavirus pandemic. The Foreign Office is on Saturday changing its advice against all but essential overseas travel, coinciding with the relaxation of lockdown measures across England which will allow pubs, restaurants and hairdressers to open their doors for the first time in three months.
The Foreign Office is on Saturday changing its advice against all but essential overseas travel, coinciding with the relaxation of lockdown measures across England in which pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will open their doors for the first time in three months. In controversial rules imposed on 8 June, travellers returning to England have been forced to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Shapps had hoped to announce the list of countries in the air bridge scheme earlier this week, but behind-the-scenes negotiations with devolved administrations caused delays.
In controversial rules imposed on 8 June, travellers returning to England have been forced to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Shapps had hoped to announce the list of countries on the air bridge scheme earlier this week, but behind-the-scenes negotiations with devolved administrations caused delays. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet signed up to the new plans. Shapps has pointed the finger at Holyrood over delays in the announcement, but on Friday, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, issued a broadside against Downing Street’s approach, accusing it of “shambolic” decision-making.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet signed up to the new plans. Shapps has pointed the finger at Holyrood over delays in the announcement but on Friday, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, issued a broadside against Downing Street’s approach, accusing its decision-making of being “shambolic”.
Speaking at the Scottish government’s coronavirus briefing, the SNP leader said: “When so much is at stake as it is right now, we can’t allow ourselves to be dragged along in the wake of, to be quite frank about it, another government’s shambolic decision process.Speaking at the Scottish government’s coronavirus briefing, the SNP leader said: “When so much is at stake as it is right now, we can’t allow ourselves to be dragged along in the wake of, to be quite frank about it, another government’s shambolic decision process.
“We want to welcome visitors again from around the world and we also want to allow our own citizens to travel. We also want, if possible for obvious practical reasons, to have alignment on these matters with the rest of the UK.” “We want to welcome visitors again from around the world and we also want to allow our own citizens to travel. We also want, if possible, for obvious practical reasons, to have alignment on these matters with the rest of the UK.”
Sturgeon, who indicated it was “very likely” her government would agree to lift Scotland’s quarantine for travellers arriving from low-risk countries on the air bridge list in the coming days, added: “Just to illustrate the point (on) the shifting sands of the UK tovernment’s position – the list of countries that they were yesterday demanding that the Scottish government sign up to, and suggesting we were a barrier to getting an agreement on, is not the same as the list they have shared with us today.” Sturgeon, who indicated it was “very likely” her government would agree to lift Scotland’s quarantine for travellers arriving from low-risk countries on the air bridge list in the coming days, added: “Just to illustrate the point on the shifting sands of the UK government’s position, the list of countries that they were yesterday demanding that the Scottish government sign up to, and suggesting we were a barrier to getting an agreement on, is not the same as the list they have shared with us today.”
In forming its list of countries published on Friday, DfT has said risk assessments were carried out by the Joint Biosecurity Centre in consultation with Public Health England and the chief medical officer, taking account of the Covid-19 rates in each country. Those approved destinations pose “a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens” but the list will be kept “under constant review”, according to the DfT. In forming its list of countries, the DfT has said risk assessments were carried out by the Joint Biosecurity Centre in consultation with Public Health England and the chief medical officer, taking account of the Covid-19 rates in each country. The approved destinations pose “a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens” but the list will be kept “under constant review”, according to the DfT.
People travelling to England from outside countries on the approved list will still have to isolate for a fortnight.People travelling to England from outside countries on the approved list will still have to isolate for a fortnight.
Small and independent travel agents hope the lifting of quarantine rules in some countries will prompt people in England to start making bookings again but said they were exercising caution. Small and independent travel agents hope that the lifting of quarantine rules in some countries will prompt people in England to start making bookings again, but said they were exercising caution.
Sue Alexander, the managing director of Eagle Travel in Bedford, said: “We’re not going to start marketing holiday locations for this year as we still need to be careful in moving to the next step, and I still believe most people are reluctant to travel. But we won’t stop the customers who wish to do so if the new changes allow it.” Sue Alexander, managing director of Eagle Travel in Bedford, said: “We’re not going to start marketing holiday locations for this year as we still need to be careful in moving to the next step, and I still believe most people are reluctant to travel. But we won’t stop the customers who wish to do so if the new changes allow it.”
Mark Pollard, the managing director of Tony Sheldon Travel in Maidenhead, added that “it looks like progress has been made”, but said it was “too early for us to really see the effect this is going to have”. Mark Pollard, managing director of Tony Sheldon Travel in Maidenhead, said “it looks like progress has been made”, but added that it was “too early for us to really see the effect this is going to have”.
“Customers can now work out where it is safe to go and it may spark some kind of confidence in them to book over the coming months, though I’ve seen real caution around immediate travel,” he added.“Customers can now work out where it is safe to go and it may spark some kind of confidence in them to book over the coming months, though I’ve seen real caution around immediate travel,” he added.
“What hasn’t helped us is the dithering over the advice. It should have come a lot sooner, so we will also approach this with caution, maybe holding back on booking holidays for customers straight away.”“What hasn’t helped us is the dithering over the advice. It should have come a lot sooner, so we will also approach this with caution, maybe holding back on booking holidays for customers straight away.”