Quarantine ‘could cost 2.9m UK jobs’
If the UK Government keeps its recently imposed mandatory 14-day quarantine for new arrivals in place for the rest of the summer, the country will lose $186 billion and 2.9 million jobs, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The quarantine requirement, which was imposed on Monday, could be challenged in court by British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, and business travel organisations have suggested to ministers that it could quickly be replaced by on-the-spot Covid-19 testing.
The WTTC had previously warned that 1.2 million jobs were at risk as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Our new modelling reveals the depth of the long-term crisis facing the UK travel and tourism industry if travel restrictions, such as the 14-day quarantine measures introduced by government this week and the Foreign Office’s travel advisory [against all non-essential travel worldwide], continue for some time," said WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara.
"The sector’s recovery risks being undermined by heavy-handed restrictions just as it emerges from one of the most punishing periods in its history – and it’s not just airlines who will bear the cost but the entire travel ecosystem.
"We’re calling on the government to remove its quarantine policy as soon as possible to minimise the impact to its economy, which is currently putting the UK at a distinct competitive disadvantage.
"Instead, we recommend the opening of ‘travel corridors’ to countries which have controlled the spread and immediate support for the entire travel and tourism ecosystem to kick-start the UK’s economic recovery."
Airlines are already warning that 2020 will be the worst year on record financially, with revenue expected to be drop $419 billion, that’s down 50% year on year.
IATA, which represents almost all international airlines, said it expected its members to lose $230 million on average each day this year.
They expect to carry 2.25 billion passengers in 2020, only half the number who travelled last year, returning industry to 2006 levels.
IATA expects airlines to lose a further $15.8 billion next year, when passenger numbers are only expected to reach 2014 levels.
"Provided there is not a second and more damaging wave of Covid-19, the worst of the collapse in traffic is likely behind us," said IATA chief executive Alexandre de Juniac.
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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