Government suggests ‘air bridges’ not likely to be in place for summer holidays
The UK Government appears to have quashed hopes that British tourists will be able to travel as normal to the Med this summer, despite some European countries stating they’d be happy to let UK holidaymakers back in.
Destinations such as Greece had hoped the UK would put ‘air bridges’ in place to countries who had the coronavirus under control to allow tourists to travel freely without the need to quarantine at either end of their journey.
However, a Whitehall source told the Daily Mail: "The quarantine rules will be reviewed every three weeks, but I think people would be unwise to book a foreign holiday in the expectation that an ‘air bridge’ will open up in time for the summer holidays.
"It’s the sort of idea you might look at as you exit a quarantine system. But we are just getting started."
Ministers are expected to announce details of the UK Government’s proposed 14-day quarantine for all arrivals tomorrow. It is due to begin in early June and it is expected to include fines of £1000 for those who break the rules.
On Monday, Greek tourism minister Haris Theoharis called upon the British government to enact a mutual no-quarantine policy with Greece.
During a BBC podcast, he said: "We feel that this is a time for us to start lifting restrictions and we urge other countries, the UK included, that as soon as we do that we would welcome reciprocity."
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the option was being considered but added that it was not agreed Government policy.
Aviation Minister Kelly Tolhurst told MPs at a Transport Select Committee meeting into the impact of coronavirus on the aviation industry that her department had set up an ‘air bridge task force’ to look at the idea, but talks with foreign nations have not yet taken place.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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