NEWS
The UAE was removed from England’s corridors list on Tuesday
Inbound passengers to England may be required to provide a negative Covid-19 test until at least mid-March
Calls grow for ‘pathway’ out of industry’s ‘grim situation’
Ian Taylor
The requirement for international travellers to provide proof of a negative pre-departure Covid test on arrival and still go into quarantine is likely to last at least until mid-March. That is according to
industry sources preparing to implement the new rules, who say there is a realisation the situation is “grim”. A leading airline source said:
Airlines have long called for
pre-departure testing to replace quarantine. A second source said: “There is acceptance things are grim, so these requirements are necessary. “But we need a pathway out –
STORY TOP
“The government had to act, as have many countries. We’ll work with the government to get this brought in.” But the source added: “We need
a pathway out. Multiple layers [of restrictions] won’t allow the industry to restart. What will the regime look like post the vaccine ramp-up? Do we remove pre-departure testing or the need to self-isolate?”
travelweekly.co.uk
to manage cashflow, to be able to sell and to give people confidence to book – when restrictions ease.” The test requirements
will be subject to a 28-day review, with the source
suggesting: “The first review will
come up around mid-February. We’ll push to have something changed then if the medical situation allows, but that is unlikely given the situation, so it will probably be at least mid-March.” On Tuesday, Jet2holidays
extended the suspension of its programme to March 25. The source added: “We hope we can agree on the steps. The dates
might have to be fluid, but milestones should be possible to define. “We have a minimum of four
weeks, probably eight, to sort the policy and get it in place.” The first source agreed: “We have a
window to discuss what happens next. We need to know what the border looks like at the end of lockdown. “No one should be travelling – it’s
a case of survival now.” Transport secretary Grant Shapps
suggested at the weekend that quarantine may not be removed for some time, saying: “A test is a useful tool, but nowhere near as good as quarantine and self-isolation which is 100% [effective].” The source said: “We believe
testing can be equally as effective as relying on consumers to self-isolate. There is what looks good on a model and what works in the real world.” Aviation minister Robert
Courts confirmed on Monday that pre-departure tests will be required for all arrivals to England from 4am on Friday, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland expected to follow suit. Passengers must take a test up
to three days before departure and provide evidence of a negative result before travel. Courts promised guidance on testing standards, but in most cases PCR will be required. Operators may deny boarding to
passengers without proof of a test and face fines for carrying those who fail to comply. Arrivals without a negative result will be fined £500. In a separate move, the UAE
was removed from England’s travel corridors list on Tuesday following the removal of Israel, Mauritius and the Seychelles from Saturday. Dubai was removed from Scotland’s list on Monday.
14 JANUARY 2021 5
PICTURES: Shutterstock
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