ABTA has spoken out against the government’s decision to remove six destinations including France, Malta, the Netherlands, Monaco, Turks & Caicos and Aruba from the list of quarantine-free travel saying the announcements “impact the two biggest destinations for British holidaymakers at the height of the summer season”.
ABTA also pointed out that this would yet again severely affect “an industry that has had its trade significantly restricted since the start of this crisis” while urging the government to step in and come up with a plan to urgently “protect the 221,000 jobs the travel industry sustains”.
A spokesperson for ABTA said: “The FCO has updated the travel advice to advise “against all but essential travel” to France, the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, Turks & Caicos and Aruba. The Government has also removed France, the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, Turks & Caicos and Aruba from the travel corridor list for the UK, which means that people arriving in the UK from these countries from 4am on Saturday 15 August will be required to self-isolate for two weeks.
“Those currently travelling in these countries do not need to leave at this time, but they are advised to follow the advice of the local public health authority. Customers in destination should contact their travel provider if they have any questions about their return journey and those due to travel imminently should contact their travel provider to discuss their options.
“The Government’s measures to restrict travel will result in livelihoods being lost unless it can step in with tailored support for the travel industry. The announcements relating to Spain, and now France, impact the two biggest destinations for British holidaymakers at the height of the summer season, affecting an industry that has had its trade significantly restricted since the start of this crisis. At this time of recession, a plan is urgently needed to protect the 221,000 jobs the travel industry sustains.”
