First piece of good news for a while if it materialises. Reported in the Daily Telegraph.

Bosses of the travel and hospitality industry have been privately assured by the Government that “air bridges” will be introduced for foreign summer holidays from June 29 to replace blanket quarantine.
The Quash Quarantine group of more than 500 of the biggest names in the industry said that as a result they would suspend their threatened legal action to overturn quaratntine.

I wouldn't trust any "private assurances" from this government; well any government actually. If I were them I'd carry on with the legal challenge unless or until the government came out with their plan. I'm reasonably confident they want to extricate themselves from this unnecessary policy, but they also want to find a way of doing so without saying "we made a mistake"; only three words, but throughout this whole episode, three words that not one government minister or special advisor has felt able to utter.

ATNotts
Come on ATN you have been around the block a few times, they never admit mistakes least of all this lot. The last politician I heard apologise, and indeed fall on his sword was Lord Carrington after the Falklands invasion. He was Foreign Sec (as you may remember) and felt responsible that it had occurred on his watch so to speak, and he did the honourable thing, even though he and indeed his dept were not entirely to blame for the mixed messages picked up by Argentina. I am deeply sorry but BJ and current incumbents in cabinet would struggle to spell apologise, never mind know what it means.

Kind regards
Mr Mac

They would never admit they are wrong on quarantine but imagine some truth in O'Leary that they'd possibly welcome the courts over turning it or will try and massively water it down with air bridges.

For how long has our Government been deciding on wether to Quarantine for 14 days, change their minds ? Then possible air bridges rumbling on for over a month. They are constantly screwing with peoples travel plans/holidays. Get a grip and sort it out so people at least know what they can or cannot do. The FCO still advises against all non essential travel.
I guess in the end they might cave in to pressure from the big travel bosses who are desperate to get your money but still reluctant to hand out refunds ?

It's never good for Govt to propose a policy because it looks good to the populist press, only for the courts to strike it down

This is not about a 25 year old kid setting up a software company with very little liability if it goes bust - this is national Govt with huge resources, affecting millions of people who have to get things right

The FCO advise is supposedly about to change for low infection countries...

The issue at the moment is they have not really given airlines/tourism any sort of ability to try and plan. For example hospitality as a rule and theme parks are working to the 4th July date so they've been left in limbo to a degree,

Seeing as few people know the finer details of this virus and it could easily "flare up" again, so anything more than a couple of weeks planning is bordering on wishful thinking.

Now it seems UK tourists have been given another major blow as Spain not dicussing the possibilty of an air bridge. Countries playing tit for tat again ? Well its their economy that will suffer... hell mend them ? There other more welcoming countries we can go to !

If they were just playing politics that would be fine and dandy, but they're not, they're looking at raw data, and with the UK still recording 1,000 plus new cases per day the risk, at present, is probably for the Spanish too high. When we eventually get down to the mid hundreds on a regular basis then we stand a chance of traveling again. One thing the UK quarantine has achieved it has saved the UK blushes when other countries demand we get our house in order before inflicting our Covid-19 on nations who have done a better job, or perhaps being more charitable, be further along the curve.

I am not sure how in context this actually is... they've said they are not discussing an air bridge but want a European wide system in place so didn't say its a no entry but if its set up and we agree to take part then we'd be treated like the rest of the EU and Schengen area's.

Cue papers saying summer in Spain is over when they've not said that, just they'd prefer looking at a pan European agreement rather than individual but would go that route if that can't be agreed.

If anything a EU/UK/Iceland/Norway/Switzerland system makes more sense than hundreds of separate agreements with Europe in theory coming out of the worst of the pandemic and likely by July all being in a relatively low infection state IF things carry on the trend they currently are.

It is a bit messy though as Portugal want to welcome us with open arms and I believe you can cross into Spain as it stands now from there!

valefan16

Reported on German media today, from 15th June limited numbers of German tourists are going to be permitted to travel to the Balearics at a pilot to assess how the hotels, restaurants, bars etc are prepared for the opening of the season more generally from 1st July. I think you will find, though I don't know, that Swedes may not be welcome because of their high numbers of new cases (they are not included in the Norway / Denmark travel bubble at present for this reason) and the UK may fall into that excluded group for the same reason. I don't expect that at this stage Russians will be welcomed by Spain either. They have been through the mill and come out the other side and laudably they would appear to be putting health before the economy to reduce the chances of a new outbreak.

They haven't said no UK at the moment though and bear in mind we have over 3 weeks until July at this point, by which time if the trend continues we will be at a low level surely? From 2500 new infections less than 2 weeks ago we are now posting 1200-1500 today so if that continues we will be looking at below 1000 in the next few days. In 3 weeks we would hope to be posting low figures unless something goes very wrong. (these drops in infection figures also linked in with higher testing too)

That depends upon how much damage the selfish feckwits crowding the beaches and demonstrating in various cities have done, and that won't be clear for between the next 7 - 14 days.

The beaches had been going on for a few weeks now so would of expected some sort of spike if it was going to happen there. It is harder to spread outside though and of course when on the beach usually hot weather. Hopefully it can be non effective and we can all start to get more normality back. The protests in poorer weather may be an issue I guess.

If we all think it’s just the U.K. though who are rebellious, I notice a bar in Mykonos has been forced to close for 60 days after multiple warnings for people crowding the bar! So not just an English problem.

I think the summer will see the virus continue to decline in Europe certainly, the big worry would be November time, that’s when the danger will be and need to be prepared in case it does hit hard again as the cold weather and people congregating indoors, Xmas parties and the like.

Something to lighten the mood a little, someone we see regularly on the TV at the moment, our Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is a fixed wing PPL holder and has owned a Grumman AA5 light aircaft and possibly still owns a Piper PA32R N51AH. Apparently his hobby/passion is flying, lets hope his passion spills over to commercial flying and he can help airlines to get flying again.

Great safe way to start a holiday? I do wonder how many of those that have complained about social distancing at schools are still hoping to take their kids away for their summer holidays.

2m, 1.5m or even 1m social distancing rules enforceable when flying?

I am still struggling to understand that if schools are not seen as safe how these two photos are seen as an acceptable way to transport children and their parents.

https://i.imgur.com/IYM1V98.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qVsFJva.jpg

There's clearly no way in which any sort of meaningful social distancing is possible in most mass transport situations; I suppose one exception is the Eurotunnel car shuttle where, if remaining in your vehicle is made a rule that is enforced with no wandering around the train, and the toilets all locked the traveling group is essentially maintaining separation within their own travel bubble.

The world has to work out how it is going to live with Covid-19 at an acceptably low level within the community otherwise the economic system that we have lived with for decades just isn't going to be sustainable. If we don't want any level of risk then the economic model has to change. Hard choices have to be made and I'm not certain that there are many politicians fit to make those decisions with any competence.

ATNotts
Perhaps we all move to NZ ?

However back in the real world I think we will all have to learn to live with it. It is another risk to add to those which we all have to live with from the moment we awake each day. Interestingly we have just received the blood test for Covid 19 antibodies, as quite a number of staff including myself believed we have had it. These tests were conducted by a doctor drawing blood and sending to the lab in Germany, and were not the finger prick home testing. Surprisingly given the amount of travel we all do, we were all negative for anti bodies. The doctor did say there was an extremely bad bug running around Europe during December - March which caused severe respiratory infection, with the resultant infection producing copious phlegm and indeed blood. He said we were not the only people to mistake this for Covid 19.

Kind regards
Mr Mac

I am still struggling to understand that if schools are not seen as safe how these two photos are seen as an acceptable way to transport children and their parents.
No children and their parents on a flight,what a pleasure,as for the virus,if it hangs around as long as HIV with all these bonkers restrictions then are truly f______!

I am just wondering, those people who do manage to get away on a holiday abroad this year and catch this Covid-19 virus, who are they going to blame? I suspect travel insurance will not cover them, maybe they would expect the government to come to their aid. Just a thought!

Covid-19 is not going to be covered by travel insurance.
Another thought. When returning from holiday, will departing passengers be given a temperature check before flying? Imagine the outcome if your holiday is over but you can't fly back. Who pays for the extended stay?

Some interesting work being done by Sunetra Gupta, a Proffessor of Epidemiology at Oxford. Her theory is that exposure to CV19 is much greater in the population than previously thought but antibody tests currently lack the sensitivity to always pick it up. Likewise many have had the symptoms but have never been tested. My wife, myself and several friends are sure we have had CV19 but recovered without medical intervention so were never tested.

This may partly explain why figures in Europe are dropping so quickly if more people have some degree of immunity than previously thought. We can't be complacent but we may now find that the threat in Europe receeds quite quickly such that it can be managed with focussed measures in hot spots like care homes etc. while maintaining enhanced hygience measures and quarantine from high risk areas.

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/05/the-costs-are-too-high-the-scientist-who-wants-lockdown-lifted-faster-sunetra-gupta

https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/...gsGIJEPotoFfTU

Whilst this is only one company that have added it to their policy i'm sure others will soon follow. As stated at the very bottom of the article coronavirus is going to be with us for some time so there is a need for it to be added to insurance. But as you've pointed out Gurnard there is a bunch of discussions re: Coronavirus that need to be had to put this cover in place and they probably looking at what other governments are doing for any travellers.

I imagine insurance companies will see £££ signs and add it to policies at an extra cost?

I imagine insurance companies will set very high premiums for Covid coverage... until they have some idea of the level of risk that exists. Things are changing too fast for any but the most courageous underwriter to want to get involved

No cover for travelling against government advice, which is everywhere at the moment and no cover if you get a dose or are told to self isolate before you travel.

But why would any reasonable person knowingly travel with coronavirus or when they should be self isolating? Surely no insurance policy would ever have covered travelling against foreign office or medical advice even before coronavirus. Insurance companies will still want business. Just check the wording of your policy for any exclusions.

The point is if they are indeed being reasonable then they still don’t have any cover so will lose their money. I suspect some of those that are meant to be self isolating will take a chance and still travel.

TORRES SAYS ALL CANARY ISLANDS WILL EXIT STATE OF ALARM ON MONDAY

The Canaries President, Angel Victor Torres, will sign the decree today, making this community the first in Spain to finish de-escalation, lift the state of alarm, and enter the 'new normal'.

The Canary Islands will enter the so-called new normality next Monday, as confirmed by authorized sources last night, who also announced that the President of the Canary Islands Government, will sign the decree today by which he officially notifies the National Administration of the decision.

At a meeting to be held this afternoon by the Governing Council, Torres will give an account of the document, although it doesn't require their approval for its implementation.
Afterwards he will have a meeting with Pedro Sánchez to discuss the possibility that the Archipelago is also the first territory to abandon the state of alarm decreed on March 14th, which officially ends on Sunday 21st June.

The mere fact that the Islands can enter the new normality will imply substantial changes for everyone on a daily basis, especially on the capacity of establishments and public spaces, which can return to their usual amount, although with certain provisions to make it possible to maintain social distancing, which is now set at 1.5 meters by the Ministry of Health.

Confirmation of all 'new normal' provisions are expected to be published in the BOE in the next 48 hours.

https://www.travelweekly.co.uk/artic...ation-guidance

The actual wording on the Gov.uk website is as follows: "You are strongly encouraged to check in baggage to the aircraft hold and minimise any hand baggage. This will speed up boarding and disembarking and minimise the risk of transmission." So not a total hand baggage ban as the article suggests. Link below for anyone interested in reading it all.

There is a also a separate page for operators where the advice on baggage is "To make social distancing easier during boarding and disembarkation, airlines should strongly promote the carriage of baggage in the aircraft hold and minimise any hand/ cabin baggage through communication and incentive policies."
Will be interesting to see how airlines feel about that now that so many charge for checked bags.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavi...for-passengers

Are airports able to be reconfigured within weeks/months to have lots more self-check baggage machines ? Can baggage belts handle a significantly increased load ?

Social distancing at a baggage belt will be interesting. The ones at Luton are normally 4 deep with passengers with multiple flights using each belt.

Even if the FCO essential travel advice changes, overseas countries flung open their doors and quarantine was dropped tomorrow sadly I don't imagine this summers passenger numbers will trouble the existing airport facilities too much.

Be interesting to see how airlines cope with the reduction in on board sales - for some cabin crew, makes up a fair bit of their income.

https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/...reopen-borders
Not really what the travel industry needs when it is trying to build momentum towards a restart

Meanwhile
https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/...-non-eu-travel
The EU wants to start moves towards reopening borders whilst "German government advice against travel to 160 countries was extended to August 31 and includes travel to Turkey."

What a complete mess

Is the UK still considered EU until the end of this year for this? I.e. Poland and Germany for example would allow UK citizens unrestricted?

It would make an interesting read if BA, Easyjet and Ryanair had to respond to the above article. Their position would appear to be untenable which is an awful position to be in.

Really LTNMan you need to keep up to date with world affairs. The 3 countries you listed are light years ahead of the UK with very few cases, so hardly a good comparison. They also imposed quarantine 2 months or more before the UK. Those countries were more concerned with imported cases, and like I said before quarantine works best when a country has a low rate of infection compared to others. The UK would be best quarantining visitors from hotspots such as all the Americas, Russia, India and if that was the case the airlines could hardly complain.

I think you need to read the full article before you dismiss it