A contingency plan for how the UK will deal with international travel in the face of a new Covid variant could be ready by the spring, say sources leading the industry’s engagement with government.
Those involved in talks now want to simplify requirements and ensure stability as the industry moves closer to normality this week than at any time since March 2020 with vaccinated UK arrivals no longer needing Covid-19 tests from Friday and a busy half-term in prospect.
A leading airline source told Travel Weekly: “We’re engaging with the government on the recovery, on next steps and on contingencies.
“Ministers have a good grasp of what needs to happen. We haven’t a date yet on contingency plans [for future variants] but hope to see these by spring. We should be able to get better alignment. We’re seeing a lot of movement with other countries.”
However, a second aviation source said officials are “talking about a basket of contingency measures this month, but we don’t know what they’re working on.
“There is a lot of nervousness in government on this. They’re talking about moving away from hotel quarantine, but they haven’t made any decisions.
“There are arguments. The devolved administrations see Westminster as reckless. One of the reasons the Passenger Locator Form [PLF] is so complicated is that four chief medical officers had to agree [it].”
The source noted: “The PLF should be less confusing from Friday, but we’re not optimistic. They’re trying to do something more with it by March.
“We are moving ahead. We can have a summer. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can do quite a lot. But double check if you have teenage children. It’s still complex and you still need to figure out the rules.”
Talks continue as a string of overseas destinations moved to relax their entry restrictions.
Australia announced the reopening of its borders from February 21, although Western Australia is expected to retain reduced quarantine rules and vaccinated travellers will need a pre-departure test.
New Zealand confirmed a full reopening to visitors from October.
Morocco reopened to arrivals from Monday, requiring proof of vaccination from adults and arrivals aged six and over to take a pre-departure PCR test.
Greece removed its requirement for pre-departure tests for vaccinated visitors although tests on arrival may still be required.
Portugal also exempted vaccinated arrivals from testing.
France changed its rules to require UK adults who had a second vaccine dose before last May to have a booster. Europe minister Clement Beaune said the country would drop the requirement for vaccinated travellers from outside the EU to have a negative Covid test before arrival, and suggested this could be in time for the UK half-term ski market.