NEWS


Matt Hancock this week unveiled a new Covid-test regime for all UK arrivals


Travel bears brunt as test and quarantine rules are tightened


Ian Taylor


Industry leaders are demanding travel be included in the prime minister’s ‘pathway out of lockdown’ statement on February 22 following the latest toughening of travel restrictions. Health secretary Matt


Hancock unveiled details of the previously announced hotel quarantine regime for arrivals from high- risk countries and a new Covid-test regime that will see all arrivals subject to two mandatory tests at two and eight days after arrival in addition to the pre-departure test already required. Hancock also unveiled penalties


Travel Weekly: “Even a week ago, we didn’t see this coming.” The source acknowledged: “The


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industry has been in no position to influence the decisions this week. There is an awful lot of pressure on the government. They feel the need to look tough on the border.” A second aviation source said: “This is about the variants. The government wants absolute certainty the variants won’t get in the way of the vaccination programme after they have thrown the


kitchen sink at it. “They also want the data from


testing arrivals to scan for variants. “But you can imagine the


of up to £10,000 for failing to stick to hotel quarantine, and up to 10 years in prison for a false declaration on a passenger locator form. Industry sources expressed


disbelief. One airline source told travelweekly.co.uk


consequences. We’re not going to have any volume [of traffic] because of the process and cost [of quarantine and tests]. This can’t be a long-term policy.” The source added: “Our sector is out of sync with the wider situation.


The peak looks past and the prime minister will talk on February 22 about reopening the economy. But our sector is still heading nose first down. We want travel included in the statement. We need some confidence. “We’ve also asked for a two-week


review. We don’t know the longevity of these measures. “Is it just for the remainder of


lockdown? The moment we come out of lockdown we need some layering [of restrictions].” Hancock announced the new


border regime for England on Tuesday and said “we’re working on similarly tough schemes with devolved administrations”. UK arrivals from ‘red-list’


countries will have to pay £1,750 in advance for 10 days’ hotel quarantine. They will be escorted to a hotel


with “visible security” and must stay in rooms. All arrivals, whether subject to home or hotel quarantine, will be


required by law to take PCR tests on day two and day eight, having booked the tests online pre-travel. ‘Test to release’ will be available for those quarantining at home, but only in addition to the mandatory tests. Carriers will have a duty to ensure


passengers sign up for tests and quarantine before boarding. Hancock declined to say how long


measures would be in force, but said: “We need to replace them over time. If we get good news on vaccines and mutations we will be in a better place. We just don’t know yet.” The Airport Operators


Association and Airlines UK jointly said: “International travel must be part of the PM’s roadmap out of lockdown.” However, transport secretary Grant


Shapps told MPs last week that Boris Johnson will provide “a roadmap”


without “specific detail” on travel. i Comment, page 12 i Business, page 32


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PICTURES: Shutterstock


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