ABTA and the Advantage Travel Partnership have issued statements on UK government announcements regarding the easing of travel restrictions within the UK from July 4, as well as provisions for a traffic light system.
The new system would classify the countries between red, green and amber, depending on the prevalence of the virus, the disease trajectory and the assessed reliability of data and compulsory quarantine will only apply to countries that are given a red rating.
"It is encouraging that the Government has concluded its first review of its Public Health Measures at the border, and that passengers arriving from certain destinations will not be required to quarantine. We are eagerly awaiting the confirmation of the list of countries, so that we can encourage customers to book. The blanket advice by the Foreign Office to avoid all but essential travel is still a major impediment to travel. However, we look forward to the government adopting a similar risk-based approach to that advice,? said an ABTA spokesperson, in response to the government?s first review of the Public Health Measures.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership, welcomed the decision by the government on imminent air bridges and said: ?We welcome the confirmation of a traffic light system, which will not just allow an easy flow of travellers between countries designated green and amber, but will also help in doing away with the compulsory quarantine. It will be encouraging for British citizens, who are looking forward to travel, for business or leisure, in early July.?
?But as the industry moves forward, travellers? safety should still be of paramount importance, along with the corresponding FCO advice, which will help the British travellers secure insurance. The establishment of the traffic light system will restart the travel industry, which has suffered huge losses; and with the establishment of these bilateral agreements now, travel agents can start to salvage the busiest time of the year; by selling popular destinations such as Spain, Greece, France and Italy. We sent our wish list to the government a few weeks ago, and it is gratifying to see that they are now listening to the industry,? she revealed.
Ms Lo Bue-Said added,?Travel agencies have opened up all over the country now, and agents are ready to inform and inspire clients for a much needed and deserved holiday this year.?
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