Grant Shapps has confirmed that although travel testing measures are remaining in place at the moment, they will be reviewed within the first week of January 2022.
In a tweet to the public, Mr Shapps confirmed the scrapping of the 11 countries currently on the UK’s red travel list which will come into effect from 4am tomorrow (15 December); He also confirmed that travel testing will remain at this time but will be reviewed in January.
Calls have been made across the UK from travel trade personnel, to general public holidaymakers for the scrapping of restrictions as it is severely harming the travel industry.
On twitter, The Business Travel Association released a statement saying:
“We welcome the news that all countries have been removed form the UK’s red list. However, this does not go nearly far enough to help the beleaguered travel industry. The onerous testing requirements are severely hampering business and leisure travel.” Said Clive Wratten, the CEO of the BTA.
He continued,
“The BTA urges the Government to work with the industry to create effective plans for future variants and a tailored package of support as we remain the only sector operating under restrictions.”
ABTA also expressed concern over the testing news as Mark Tanzer Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:
“The removal of countries from the red list is a sensible step. However, the Government has always been clear that once the Omicron variant is widespread across the UK there would be little rationale for retaining any restrictions on international travel, so the Government must explain why temporary testing requirements have been retained until the first week of January.
“With the testing measures now extending over the Christmas and New Year period, and the industry quickly approaching peak-booking season for summer 2022, travel businesses are facing a very serious situation. Consumer confidence in travel has suffered a significant setback, which will outlast these restrictions. The Government must acknowledge this by bringing forward grant support to help businesses through the difficult weeks ahead. Almost two years into this crisis, there has still been no business support from the Treasury to address directly the impact on UK businesses of the Government’s travel restrictions.”
Shapps continued on Twitter:
“As always, we keep all our travel measures under review and we may impose new restrictions should there be a need to do so to protect public health”
