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Global Travel Taskforce unveils report setting out plan to restart travel

Cruise, Wave

The Global Travel Taskforce has published its framework for restarting international travel.

It confirmed the creation of a traffic light system to categorise countries based on risk alongside the restrictions required for travel.

A list of which countries will be on the green, amber or red lists will be released in early May, the report said, at which time the government will also confirm whether international travel can resume from 17 May.

A ‘green watchlist’ will be introduced to help identify countries most at risk of moving from green to amber, however “the government will not hesitate to act immediately should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed”, the report added.

As for cruise, the Global Travel Taskforce report stated: “The UK government has confirmed that domestic cruises will restart in England no earlier than 17 May.

“The UK government will restart international cruises alongside the wider restart of international travel, in line with the traffic light system. This will be subject to continued satisfactory evidence from domestic restart as well as successful cruise operations elsewhere in the world.

“This is also subject to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UK government and industry covering the cost and liabilities of repatriation.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “For the first time I think there is light at the end of the tunnel and we’ll be able to restart international travel, including cruises by the way, in a safe and secure way.”

Requirements for green, amber and red list countries are as follows:

  • Green: Arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival back into the UK but will not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive a positive result) or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday
  • Amber: Arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days and take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day two and day eight, with the option for test to release on day five to end self isolation early
  • Red: Arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for red list countries which includes a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day two and eight

Shapps said: “International travel is vital – it boosts businesses and underpins the UK economy – but more than that, it brings people together, connects families who have been kept apart, and allows us to explore new horizons.

“The framework announced today will help allow us to reopen travel safely and sustainably, ensure we protect our hard-won achievements on the vaccine roll out and offer peace of mind to both passengers and industry as we begin to take trips abroad once again.”

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “The travel industry now has a much-needed framework for the restart of international travel and it is good to see government maintain its ambition for overseas travel to start from 17 May if the circumstances allow.

“While the framework isn’t perfect – the requirement for a PCR test when you arrive back from a green list country could prove a cost-barrier for many people – we welcome the fact that the government commits to engaging with industry on this issue.

“Small changes, like requiring a PCR test only if the individual gets a positive result from a lateral flow test, would make international travel more accessible and affordable while still providing an effective mitigation against re-importation of the virus.

“The government should also consider whether those who have been vaccinated can be exempt from testing requirements, should scientific evidence suggest reduced transmissibility.”

The government has also announced plans to digitise the passenger locator form, integrating it into the UK border system and enabling checks to take place at e-gates by autumn 2021.

The UK will also play a “leading role in the development of international standards around a digital travel certification system”, the report said, in order to understand what role certification could play in facilitating outbound and inbound travel.

Restrictions will be formally reviewed on the 28 June to take account of the domestic and international health picture and to see whether current measures could be rolled back. Reviews will also take place at checkpoints no later than 31 July and 1 October.

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