March 28, 2024

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British families ‘ignoring quarantine’, says Ryanair

Ryanair was responding to Portugal's likely omission from the first air bridge deals - istock
Ryanair was responding to Portugal’s likely omission from the first air bridge deals – istock

Thousands of British families are ignoring the Government’s “useless quarantine” measures, according to Ryanair. 

The low-cost airline said bookings for flights in July and August were “flooding in”, indicating that holidaymakers planned to travel whether air bridge agreements were in place or not.

As many as 50 countries with favourable coronavirus infection rates could be included in the first tranche of deals, negating the need for arrivals to self isolate but 14 days. But Ryanair said the quarantine measures were not working. 

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “The UK Government’s idea of ‘air bridges’ is more idiotic rubbish from a government who can’t operate a ‘form filling’ quarantine or a track and trace system either.”

Ryanair, which plans to operate 1,000 flights a day from July 1, said the Government “must now scrap its useless and ineffective form filling quarantine from the end of June, since they are unable to even contact these people who have filled in these forms correctly”.

See the latest news below.  

10:04 AM

US will welcome back Britons when safe to do so

The US will welcome British travellers “with open arms” when it is safe to do so, the nation’s tourism arm has told Telegraph Travel. 

Responding to the likelihood that America will not including in the first wave of air bridge deals with the UK, due to a fresh rise in coronavirus infections, Aaron Wodin-Schwartz, senior vice president of communications and public policy at Brand USA, said:

“Brand USA does not have a role in setting or responding to government policies, so it is not appropriate for us to comment on any possible decisions.

“However, we know a secure travel environment is critical to attract visitors, and as the world navigates this pandemic, each country should make decisions based on the advice and guidance of health experts. Brand USA’s current focus is to inform and support our partners and to keep the USA top-of-mind among UK consumers. Our industry is resilient and when it is safe to do so, the USA will welcome UK travellers with open arms.” 

Lockdown restrictions have eased in New York City - Getty
Lockdown restrictions have eased in New York City – Getty

09:19 AM

Czech Republic reports rise in virus cases

The risk of easing lockdown has become apparent in the Czech Republic, where a spike of cases has coincided with the beginning of the summer holidays. 

Reuters reports: 

The Czech Republic recorded 168 new cases of the coronavirus on Friday, authorities said, the highest daily rise in cases since early April just as the country is starting the two-month summer holiday season.

It was also the fourth day of the last 10 showing a daily increase of more than 100. 

Friday was the last day of school for most children and students, with their families getting ready for the holidays. Many Czechs will spend their holidays in the country rather than going abroad due to concerns about the virus and travel restrictions.

The government has gradually removed most restrictions on business apart from wearing masks indoors and limits on pub opening hours and large cultural events. It has said it will focus on local quarantines and tracing and testing measures rather than national lockdowns in the future.

Last Monday, public gatherings of up to 1,000 people were allowed, up from 500. Trade fairs were given the green light and pools, zoos, museums and castles were allowed to return to normal operations, with no more limits on visitor numbers.

08:55 AM

EU struggles to agree on lifting border restrictions

The European Union has failed to agree on the lifting of its borders to travellers from around the world, including the US. Ambassadors from the 27 EU members met on Friday to discuss a “safe list” of countries, but were not able to finalise the choices. 

A redrawn text of up to 20 countries was put to them, but many said they needed to consult first with their governments, diplomats said. The list did not include the United States, Brazil or Russia, one diplomat told Reuters.

Discussions were continuing overnight, with the EU countries expected to give informal replies by Saturday evening, people familiar with the matter said.

The European Commission had advised that the bloc first lift internal border controls and then gradually open up to outsiders. However, the first step has not gone according to plan.

Greece is mandating COVID-19 tests for arrivals from a range of EU countries, including France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, with self-isolation until results are known. The Czech Republic has said it will not allow in tourists from Portugal, Sweden and part of Poland.

There is broad agreement that the bloc should only open up to those with a similar or better epidemiological situation, but there are questions about how to assess a country’s handling of the epidemic and the reliability of data.

08:28 AM

In pictures: the new normal?

Crowds enjoyed a socially distanced festival at Los Angeles on Friday at Concert in your Car, despite a recent spike in coronavirus cases in California. 

A DJ performs to motorists at Ventura County Fairgrounds - Shutterstock
A DJ performs to motorists at Ventura County Fairgrounds – Shutterstock
Cars were parked next to each other, with music lovers watching from the bonnets - Shutterstock
Cars were parked next to each other, with music lovers watching from the bonnets – Shutterstock
It does not appear the event remained socially distanced - Shutterstock
It does not appear the event remained socially distanced – Shutterstock

08:17 AM

Britons ‘nervous’ to travel around UK

As VisitBritain launches a “We’re Good To Go” coronavirus industry standard to reassure consumers that holiday operators are adhering to Government safety measures, a senior member of the UK tourist board has said there is some trepidation about holidays this summer. 

Director of strategy and communications Patricia Yates told BBC Breakfast:

“We’ve been doing weekly consumer sentiment and we’ve seen a real nervousness about travelling, even domestically, through the summer.

“Now, with the change in Government advice, we’re hoping that that will change and obviously the mark is there to try and convince people, and we’re doing a reassurance campaign in the short term so persuading people that they can travel, that it’s socially responsible to travel and that they can look out for the mark and know that businesses know what they’re doing.

“We’re talking about a dip of about £37 billion on an industry that employs millions of people right across the country. So to get tourism kick-started, and to work really hard to extend the season, incredibly important.”

Read more: The best UK hotels reopening on July 4

08:01 AM

Foreign Office set to lift travel ban

Good morning.

The Government is poised to announce its first air bridge deals, allowing for the resumption of overseas holidays, prompting the Foreign Office to lift its blanket ban on all but essential travel.

See here for the full story. 

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