ABTA has welcomed the new ‘Islands approach’ announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, saying they hope it “will in turn lead to a more targeted approach such as that adopted in Germany and the Netherlands”.
An ABTA spokesperson said: “ABTA – The Travel Association has been calling for the Government to take a regionalised approach to quarantine measures and Foreign Office travel advice to provide greater certainty for businesses and consumers.
“Today’s announcement regarding travel from specific islands to England is welcome and the industry hopes that this will in turn lead to a more targeted approach such as that adopted in Germany and the Netherlands, which would also reflect the UK’s domestic strategy of localised lockdowns. It also however highlights the requirement for a more coordinated approach from the home nations to prevent avoidable confusion.
“The travel industry has long been a powerhouse of economic growth and employment within the economy, yet it has been restricted by Government measures which have slowed any recovery. With the right policy and regulatory support, such as a testing regime that enables travel to resume to the UK’s major global trading partners, and tailored financial support to get businesses through the crisis, the Government can protect many more jobs that are otherwise at risk.”
