Global Travel Taskforce Publishes Framework for Restart - Friday 9th April 2021

Global Travel Taskforce Publishes Framework for Restart Friday 9th April 2021 The Global Travel Taskforce has outlined its framework for the restart of international travel, with confirmation of a requirement for ‘gold-standard’ PCR tests post-arrival but a commitment to assess options for reducing costs including the use of cheaper tests.

As announced earlier this week, recommendations include a three-tier ‘traffic light’ system for grading countries, with an initial list to be published “by early May” alongside confirmation of whether international travel can restart at the earliest possible date of May 17.

To ensure the reopening of travel is “accessible and affordable”, the current ‘permission to travel form’ will be removed alongside the easing of restrictions, meaning passengers will no longer need to provide a valid reason for leaving the country.

A ‘Green Watchlist’ will also be introduced to highlight countries at risk of moving from the low-risk green category to amber. However, the taskforce report said the government “will not hesitate to act immediately should the data show that countries’ risk ratings have changed”.

The report confirms the UK will play “a leading role in the development of international standards around a digital travel certification system” with assessment ongoing of how certification could ease outbound and inbound travel.

Other developments include plans to digitise the current Passenger Locator Form, “enabling checks to take place at e-gates by autumn 2021”, enhanced enforcement powers for the CAA to protect consumer rights and the introduction of a ‘Covid-19 charter’ setting out requirements and rights of passengers while measures remain in place.

The allocation of countries within the traffic light system will be kept under constant review, with formal reviews of all restrictions to take place on June 28 and at ‘checkpoints’ no later than July 31 and October 1.

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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “International travel is vital – it boosts businesses and underpins the UK economy – but more than that, it brings people together, connects families who have been kept apart and allows us to explore new horizons. “The framework announced today will help allow us to reopen travel safely and sustainably, ensure we protect our hard-won achievements on the vaccine roll out and offer peace of mind to both passengers and industry as we begin to take trips abroad once again.”

Much of the industry’s focus this week had been on the cost of testing requirements, and the report confirmed that more-expensive PCR tests would be required post-arrival.

However, in a note echoing comments made by prime minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday, it added: “We will work with the travel industry and private testing providers ahead of international travel reopening to see how we can further reduce the cost of travel for the British public while ensuring travel is as safe as possible. “This could include cheaper tests being used when holidaymakers return home, as well as whether the government would be able to provide pre-departure tests.”

The requirements for green, amber and red list countries were confirmed as follows: •

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Green: Arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK but will not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive a positive result) or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday Amber: Arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of 10 days and take a predeparture test, a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 with the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early Red: Arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for ‘red list’ countries which includes a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8

Key factors in the assessment of countries will include the percentage of the population that have been vaccinated, the rate of infection, the prevalence of variants of concern and the country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.

The report noted: “The UK is a global leader in genome sequencing, which in positive cases allows the identification of variants of concern. The risks posed by these variants remain significant.”

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How the traffic light system works • •

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The Government is proposing a new traffic light system for foreign travel to replace the current ban and kickstart this year’s summer holidays potentially from May 17.

It plans to categorise countries according to their risk based on their vaccination rates, the prevalence of Covid-19 and its variants, and their capability to sequence the genome of the virus.

They will be rated green, amber and red with different restrictions on travel in each of the three categories.

Q Will I need to quarantine?

A You will only be free from quarantining for 10 days on your return from a green list country, but you will still be required to take two tests – one within 72 hours of departure with a negative result and one PCR test on or before the second day after you arrive back.

Travel to amber countries will require you to quarantine for 10 days on your return. You also need to have a negative test before departure, and then PCR tests on days two and eight. You can take the second test on day five, and if negative, leave quarantine.

Foreign travel is banned from red list countries and returning Britons have to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days at a cost of up £1,750 per person (including two PCR tests).

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Q How do I get my tests?

A The Government hopes to provide free rapid lateral flow tests for holidaymakers to take with them for use as pre-departure tests before they return.

If this cannot be agreed, you will be required to buy a pre-departure test – either lateral flow or the more expensive gold standard PCR version. But it will have to meet a standard set by the Government. Lateral flow tests can cost between £5 and £50, depending on quality.

On your return, you will need to use the Government’s approved list of private test providers to order and buy a PCR test, which currently cost between £100 and £150, but this is under review and we hope it will be reduced. This will need to be pre-booked before you return and confirmed on your passenger locator form.

Q What is the point of taking a test if I don’t need to quarantine?

A PCR tests allow government scientists to collect and analyse samples of the virus, which is why they are reluctant to allow the less accurate lateral flow tests to be used. Ministers want the tests in place so scientists can check if any Covid variants are coming into the UK from a green list destination.

Q Am I exempt if I have been fully vaccinated?

A Vaccinated people are not exempt from taking the tests. Ministers are, however, exploring jab certification to allow inoculated people to sidestep quarantine and tests potentially later this year.

Station Road, Longfield, Kent. DA3 7QD T: +44 (0)1474 706 976 E: business@sunways.co.uk www.sunwaystravel.co.uk

Proprietor: Nimar Travel Ltd. Registered Office: As above. Registered in England No. 1302911. VAT No. 303846960

Q What if I test positive?

A You will be required to self-isolate for 10 days at home.

Q When will I be able to travel, and which countries can I go to?

A The Government aims to introduce traffic light system from May 17, but it is unlikely to make a decision until May 10 when it has more data on the progress of the virus abroad.

It will publish its list of “green” countries at that point but it is likely initially to be limited, possibly to single figures before increasing later in the summer. Ministers propose to review the country lists on June 28. High vaccination rate countries that could be in the first wave include Israel, the US, UAE, Bahrain, Singapore, Gibraltar and Malta.

Finally, we anticipate the Government will review of the scheme on June 28 which could see an easing of the restrictions and reduce the tests in time for the peak summer travel period Please get in touch with myself or a member of my team if you require further assistance.

Kind regards, Mark Colley – Managing Director Sunways Business, Leisure & Sustainable Travel

Station Road, Longfield, Kent. DA3 7QD T: +44 (0)1474 706 976 E: business@sunways.co.uk www.sunwaystravel.co.uk

Proprietor: Nimar Travel Ltd. Registered Office: As above. Registered in England No. 1302911. VAT No. 303846960