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Aito hammers government as more countries ban travel from UK

The increasing isolation of the UK in what should be one of the busiest travel periods of the year triggered a stinging condemnation from Aito.

More than 40 countries have now imposed travel bans on the UK in a bid to stem the spread of a new variant of Covid-19.

The growing list of countries imposing travel restrictions over the Christmas period includes Dominican Republic, Grenada, Malta, Morocco, Switzerland and Tunisia.

The US government is reportedly considering requiring all passengers traveling from the UK receive a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure as a condition of entry.

British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic had earlier voluntarily agreed to start screening passengers flying from London to New York JFK this week following a request from New York governor Andrew Cuomo that they only allow passengers who test negative to fly.

Meanwhile, Belgium extended the suspension of travel from the UK by 24 hours until midnight today (Tuesday). Only those travelling from the UK who are resident in Belgium will be able to enter from December 23.

Aito head of commercial Bharat Gadhoke, writing in the Telegraph said: “The very little business that was left for Christmas and new year travel has now been eroded beyond redemption. Tour operators and travel agents have tried to be creative to serve their customers. They’ve set up last-minute ‘travel now’ suggestions, for places where travel corridors were open. These are now shut.

“The travel industry has been hanging on by its fingernails without support. Now the government is stamping on our hands. Should we simply throw in the towel? Is that what our government wants us to do? Is that why they have offered us no sector-specific help whatsoever?

“Who will pick up the eventual bill for the hundreds of thousands of people who will join the dole queue, when they have normally perfectly viable specialist businesses that are hugely appreciated by their customers?

“Words simply fail us. It seems that the government simply couldn’t give a FXXX.”

His attack came amid speculation that England is heading towards a new year lockdown after much of London and the south-east was placed under tight tier 4 restrictions over the weekend.

The government said: “The UK is working with international partners to understand where and how British travellers have been affected and to minimise disruption as far as possible.”

A statement was issued by Nick Whittingham, British Ambassador to Guatemala, who said: “Country-specific travel restrictions are a matter for each country’s own government. Our overriding concern is always the safety and security of British nationals.

“We are in close touch with international partners and monitoring the situation closely. We are not aware of large numbers of travellers stranded in Guatemala at this time.

“British travellers should follow the guidance and requirements of the country they are in, and speak to their airlines for the latest travel options in the first instance, whilst we work to ensure commercial routes to the UK remain open

“Information will be updated constantly in our website and social media channels.”

Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “Bans on travel to and from the UK will cause concern for many people currently abroad, who may now be worried about becoming stranded at Christmas.
“Travel back to the UK remains open for the most part, but that may change in the coming days. It’s worth coming home early if you can by taking advantage of your travel provider’s flexible booking policies, to prevent the risk of becoming stuck.
“Nine months on from when travel bans left people stranded and out of pocket at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the travel industry should be better prepared for disruption this time around.
“Operators must not abandon customers again when it comes to refunds and re-routing  – any that do should face strong action from the regulator as a result.”

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