Cyprus Mail 6 April 2021 - by Andrew Rosenbaum
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| Johnson delays opening UK travel. |
The British Travel Association has called Boris Johnson’s delay of any decision on allowing international travel “beyond disappointing.”
The prime minister said he was “hopeful” that foreign travel could begin again on 17 May, and that summer holidays will be possible this year but is advising the public not to book “until the picture is clearer.” For now, non-essential foreign travel is illegal, officials said.
Johnson had been expected to announce the re-opening of travel to UK residents, along with an updated ‘traffic light’ system for the entry of visitors.
British Travel Association Chief Executive Clive Wratten told the Telegraph that “a clear pathway to international travel and trade is needed”. Wratten, said moves to open borders had “once again been kicked down the road”.
“The business travel industry continues to be crippled by today’s lack of movement,” he added. Wratten called on the government to be “confident in its roadmap.”
“This is our last resort,” Wratten warned.
Other UK travel industry leaders joined in the chorus of dismay.]
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, told the BBC: “While we support the establishment of a framework for restarting international travel and welcome the removal of self-isolation for arrivals from ‘green countries’, today’s announcement does not provide the clarity we were seeking on the roadmap back towards normality.”
The chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, Karen Dee pointed out to the BBC that a “risk-based, proportionate system” could “open up aviation without quarantine and with affordable, rapid testing”.
Dee agreed that she was “disappointed” that the prime minister “continues to suggest significant barriers to international travel and may push back the date of restart beyond 17 May”.
“It is illegal to travel now (unless for an essential reason), however planning and booking a future trip is not – and these comments will yet again damage already dwindling consumer confidence,” said Julia Lo Bue Said, chief executive at Advantage Travel Partnership.
