Travel news – live: US decision to extend UK travel ban sparks disappointment
US borders have been largely shut since March 2020
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As the end of summer nears, it looks increasingly unlikely that the UK-UStravel corridor will open in the short term.
According to reports, the US will not lift any current travel restrictions “at this point” because of concerns about the rapidly spreading Covid-19 Delta variant and rising coronavirus cases in the country.
Travel between the UK and the US has been frozen since March 2020, thanks to a series of presidential proclamations, while the US is on the UK’s amber list of countries, requiring a 10-day quarantine when returning to the UK and two post-arrival PCR tests.
This morning policing minister Kit Malthouse said it is “disappointing” that no travel corridor with the US is currently available.
Mr Malthouse told Sky News: “Obviously that is for them to assess and we are assessing the likelihood of variants coming in from other countries as well. So, it doesn't surprise me that they are doing similar. It is obviously disappointing.”
“I am afraid that the tail-end of this virus, and lets hope it is the tail-end, we are still coping with some of that uncertainty across the world and people will have to bear that in mind as they decide their travel plans or otherwise.”
Scores of countries slated for green list next week
Some 77 countries are reportedly under consideration for the UK’s green list for international travel.
The destinations are currently under review by the Joint Biosecurity Centre, before the next update to the government’s traffic light lists is announced next week, reports the Daily Telegraph.
However, although a broad selection of countries is being considered for a promotion to green, many of these won’t make the grade, warned government sources.
Green list countries are those with the lightest restrictions for returning travellers; arrivals entering the UK can forgo quarantine, regardless of vaccination status, and must take two Covid tests.
Read the full story here:
Helen Coffey27 July 2021 12:34
What is the 31 July travel ‘checkpoint’ and what changes are expected?
By the end of July, the UK government is committed to review its measures on international travel.
The first “checkpoint” required by the Global Travel Taskforce, due in late June, was lost in the moves surrounding “traffic light” changes.
But the second, which The Independent is calling Checkpoint Bravo, will happen ahead of the next set of moves between green, amber, red and other categories for international arrivals.
The checkpoint can be used by the Department for Transport (DfT) to address the most incoherent, irrational and damaging aspects of current government policy, and alleviate the consequent harm caused to travellers and the economy.
Here’s the full story:
Simon Calder27 July 2021 12:27
UK mulls loosening restrictions for jabbed Americans
The UK is considering loosening some travel restrictions this week, ahead of a planned review into the reopening of international travel.
According to reports, the government is set to allow fully jabbed US citizens entry to the UK without quarantining, as part of a move to open up transatlantic travel.
Movement between the US and the UK has largely been frozen since March 2020, and yesterday the White House confirmed that the travel ban would remain over fears of the Delta variant – much to the dismay of ministers and the travel industry.
However, in more positive news, ministers could green light plans this week for Americans to present vaccine cards they were given as proof of entry, reports The Times, in lieu of a consistent digital solution.
Read the full story here:
Cathy Adams27 July 2021 11:29
Government ‘disappointed’ at US travel ban extension
It is “disappointing” that the US has kept in place a Covid-related travel ban with the UK, a government minister has said.
Kit Malthouse, the policing minister and MP for North West Hampshire, said he wanted to see international travel return “as soon as possible”.
On Monday the Biden administration announced it will maintain restrictions on a range of countries, including the EU and China, for the foreseeable future.
Both the US and the UK have a high number of Covid-positive cases caused by the Delta variant, although new infections in the UK appear to be decreasing.
“Given where we are today ... with the Delta variant, we will maintain existing travel restrictions at this point,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told a press conference.
“Driven by the Delta variant, cases are rising here at home, particularly among those who are unvaccinated and appear likely continue to increase in the weeks ahead.”
Read the full story here:
Matt Mathers27 July 2021 10:24
Across the Channel...
Is a Paris Gare du Nord landmark under threat?
Terminus Nord, the very stylish and good-value brasserie facing Paris Gare du Nord appears to be closed – with no sign of if or when it might reopen.
Professor Dominic Regan has tweeted a picture of the restaurant under wraps.
Since the brasserie opened in 1925, countless British travellers have paused there. Just a two-minute walk from the Eurostar check-in, Terminus Nord was a favourite for a seafood or steak frites lunch before boarding the train to London St Pancras.
Terminus Nord, two minutes from Gare du Nord check-in
(Dominic Regan)
Simon Calder27 July 2021 10:22
Travel rules may change, says minister
The Independent’s political editor Andrew Woodcock writes:
Britons considering a trip abroad this summer should be aware that “things may change” in terms of the rules for travel, a government minister has warned.
Kit Malthouse was speaking amid speculation that popular destinations with rising Covid-19 infections like Italy, Spain and Greece could be added to the “amber plus” list requiring self-isolation on return to England - while restrictions on travel from France could be eased as fears about the Beta variant of coronavirus decline.
Read the full story here:
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Cathy Adams27 July 2021 10:03
US travel industry body dismayed over travel curbs
The travel industry is dismayed over the decision to uphold US travel restrictions.
Tori Emerson Barnes, US Travel Association executive vice president of public affairs and policy, said:
Covid variants are of concern, but closed borders have not prevented the Delta variant from entering the U.S. while vaccinations are proving incredibly durable to the virus’ evolution. This is why America’s travel industry is a vocal proponent of everyone getting a vaccine—it’s the surest and fastest path to normalcy for everyone.
While other nations, like Canada, the UK and much of the EU, have all taken steps to welcome inbound travellers this summer and rebuild jobs and local economies, the United States remains closed to one of the most important segments of the travel economy—the international inbound traveler.
Given the high rates of vaccination on both sides of the Atlantic, it is possible to begin safely welcoming back vaccinated visitors from these crucial inbound markets.
We respectfully urge the Biden administration to revisit its decision in the very near term and begin reopening international travel to vaccinated individuals, starting with air corridors between the US and nations with similar vaccination rates.
Cathy Adams27 July 2021 09:30
Everything we know about when the US-UK travel corridor might open
As hopes fade for a US-UK travel corridor this summer, here is everything we know about when travel between the two nations might reopen:
Cathy Adams27 July 2021 09:16
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