The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has urged Europe’s governments to coordinate the lifting of travel restrictions and hit out at UK quarantine rules as “a killer blow to a sector struggling for survival”.
GBTA welcomed European Commission guidelines on resuming travel from outside the EU to Schengen area states, announced on June 11. The EC recommended a gradual reopening of borders from July 1.
However, GBTA said: “The travel sector fears EU countries may continue to act unilaterally, leading to the patchwork of rules and confusion already being experienced with the re-opening of Europe’s internal borders this month.”
It criticised “blanket quarantine rules” such as the UK imposed on June 8 as “disproportionate and unenforceable” saying they would “deliver a killer blow to a travel sector struggling for survival”.
GBTA noted: “The entire travel community has been advocating alternative measures, tests and temperature checks at the country of origin and upon arrival.”
Scott Solombrino, GBTA chief executive, noted the association’s latest poll suggests more than half of companies are considering allowing employees to travel again.
But Solombrino said: “People aren’t going to travel until they feel safe.
“Our member companies want to see health and safety maintained at every stage of the travel process – from the minute the traveller leaves home until they arrive back safely, this includes all travel sectors from ground transportation to airlines, to hotels.”
He said: “Resurrecting travel requires predictability and transparent and timely communication.
“Uncoordinated measures will add further strain on citizens and travel operators alike.”
