Fewer than 10 countries will have an ‘air bridge’ to the UK and travelers arriving from elsewhere could have to pay for a COVID-19 test to avoid 14-day quarantine
- Officials are examining both the coronavirus risk and destination’s popularity
- At the moment, any traveller arriving in the UK must quarantine for 14 days
- ‘Air bridge’ rules would come into play on July 4 and to be announced on June 29
- Trial for coronavirus tests on landing is set to take place at UK airport next month
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
The ‘air bridges’ plan is set to involve less than ten countries, giving tourists the ability to travel between them and the UK this summer with no mandatory 14-day quarantine.
A total of 12 countries – including Greece, Spain, Portugal and France – are being considered with officials examining both the risk of travellers bringing Covid-19 back and the popularity of the destination.
At the moment, any traveller arriving in the UK – whether from Britain or a tourist – must quarantine for 14 days and provide their phone number and an address for self-isolation.
The ‘air bridge’ rules would come into play on July 4 and will likely be announced on June 29. But it will only go ahead if the chief medical officer provides advice on each nation and the Foreign Office lifts its non-essential travel ban to the nations in question.
The ‘air bridges’ plan is set to involve less than ten countries, giving tourists the ability to travel between them and the UK this summer with no mandatory 14-day quarantine. Pictured: Gatwick Airport this week
A total of 12 countries – including Greece, Spain, Portugal and France – are being considered with officials examining both the risk of travellers bringing Covid-19 back and the popularity of the destination. Pictured: Gatwick Airport
Searches for Spain and Greece doubled on Travelsupermarket after the nations declared they were open for business. Pictured: Heathrow Airport
There has been an 18 per cent increase in people looking for Spain package holidays in just one week, the travel comparison website said. Pictured: Heathrow Airport
An aviation source told The Daily Telegraph: ‘It is work in progress – risk first, and how you measure that risk, followed by the popularity of the destination.’
A second plan, which could reduce the need for quarantine and kick-start the travel sector post-lockdown, is the possibility of coronavirus tests for arrivals in UK airports, The Times reports.
A trial is set to take place at a UK airport next month and will be run by Swissconsent port and the Collinson Group.
Nurses will administer free and optional nose swabs on those willing to take part. Saliva tests will also be trialled at the airport – which has not yet been named.
At the moment, any traveller arriving in the UK – whether from Britain or a tourist – must quarantine for 14 days and provide their phone number and an address for self-isolation. Pictured: Cleaning staff in Gatwick airport this week
The ‘air bridge’ rules would come into play on July 4 and will likely be announced on June 29. Pictured: Cleaning staff in Gatwick airport this week
Any plans depend on reducing the risk of a second wave meaning quarantine could stay in place for the next few months. Pictured: Staff in Gatwick Airport
Results will be provided between seven and 24 hours later.
Any plans depend on reducing the risk of a second wave meaning quarantine could stay in place for the next few months.
This hasn’t stopped Britons eagerly looking into potential holidays, however, as searches for Spain and Greece doubled on Travelsupermarket after the nations declared they were open for business.
There has been an 18 per cent increase in people looking for Spain package holidays in just one week, the travel comparison website said.
On week beginning June 7 , there was a 34 per cent increase in people looking for return flights from Britain on Skyscanner compared to a month ago.