The UK Prime Minister has said it is ¡°too soon to know what is
possible¡± on the question of whether international travel will restart on 17
May, a decision the business travel sector has called ¡°beyond
disappointing¡±.
Delivering an update on the review being undertaken by the
global travel taskforce, Boris Johnson said, ¡°The government wants to see a
return to non-essential international travel as soon as possible, while still
managing the risk from imported cases and variants of concern¡ but it is still
too soon to know what is possible.¡±
The global travel taskforce is due to report next Monday, 12
April, on whether international travel can restart, which would be no sooner
than 17 May. However, the Prime Minister¡¯s comments suggest that a later date
may be more likely.
¡°Given the state of the pandemic abroad, and the progress of
vaccination programmes in other countries, we are not yet in a position to
confirm that non-essential international travel can resume from that point,¡± said
Johnson.
¡°Taking into account the latest situation with variants and the
evidence about the efficacy of vaccines against them, we will confirm in
advance whether non-essential international travel can resume on 17 May, or
whether we will need to wait longer before lifting the outbound travel
restriction.¡±
While not giving the nod for international travel, Johnson said
that when international travel does return it will do so with a risk-based
¡°traffic light¡± system.
Arrivals from countries deemed as low risk would not need to isolate
on their return, although pre-departure and post-arrival tests would still be
needed. The countries on the green light list would be chosen based on
vaccination and infection rates, the prevalence of variants of concern, and
their genomic sequencing capacity (or access to genomic sequencing).?
Johnson said it is too early to say which countries will be on
the green list when non-essential international travel resumes.
¡°These decisions will be driven by the data and evidence nearer
the time, which we cannot predict now. In advance of the resumption of
non-essential international travel, we will set out our initial assessment of
which countries will fall into which category. Thereafter countries will move
between the red, amber and green lists depending on the data.¡±
He added that Covid-status certification may be required and that
the government would ¡°look to establish arrangements with other countries and
international organisations to establish mutual recognition of certificates¡±.
Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business
Travel Association, said, ¡°Today¡¯s announcement from the Prime Minister is
beyond disappointing. We are leading the way in vaccination and science. This
is a cause of huge celebration, but, if we are to re-start our economy, we need
to have a clear pathway to international travel and trade. This has once again
been kicked down the road.
¡°To be a truly global Britain, we
must lead the way in opening borders, supporting vital supply chains, and
digitising health certification.?The business travel industry continues to
be crippled by today¡¯s lack of movement.?We ask the government to be
confident in its roadmap as the global travel taskforce reports on 12 April.
This is our last resort.¡±
Andrew Crawley, American Express GBT¡¯s chief commercial officer,
said: ¡°It is encouraging to see the government attempt to develop a strategic
approach to restarting international travel. However, it is vital that any
approach be underpinned by a seamless global travel framework that is mutually recognised
by countries around the world.?
¡°This means having
interoperable systems in place that securely manage and credential test results
or vaccine status and link this information with individual identity and travel
processes so we have a safe return to travel that is manageable for authorities
and airlines, and convenient for travellers.¡±