The head of Manchester Airport said the government needed to “push ahead with overhauling the traffic light system” following the recent changes to the UK travel list.
This comes after the Transport Department’s recent announcement that seven destinations will be moved to the green list following a review of the government’s international travel lists.
Two countries will also be added to the red list without changing the yellow list.
CEO Charlie Cornish said that while the changes will have a positive impact on the opportunities for those looking to go on vacation this summer, they will be little different from the general rebound in the UK travel industry.
READ MORE: Any Changes to Government Outbound Travel Lists
He added that Europe’s stronger recovery has been driven by the elimination of testing on vaccinated travelers and that unless the UK eliminates the need to test fully vaccinated people on their return, the industry “will continue to squander the advantage had our world’s leading vaccination program “. should deliver “.
Mr Cornish said, “Today’s announcement will have a positive impact on the opportunities available to those looking to go on vacation during the remaining days of the summer season.
“But in reality these changes will have little impact on the general recovery of the UK travel industry, which is already recovering less than half the speed of the rest of Europe.
“Europe’s stronger recovery has been driven by the removal of testing requirements for vaccinated travelers.
“Unless the UK also exempts people with full immunity for these tests, we will continue to squander the benefit our world-leading immunization program should offer while continental passengers travel to low risk destinations without restrictions.”
“The government cannot wait until October 1st to make changes to the travel regime and needs to press ahead with an overhaul of its traffic light system immediately.
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“We need to create a simpler, more affordable and more sustainable travel framework to enable the best possible winter season and give customers the confidence to book in advance for 2022.”
It has already been announced that Canada, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Azores will switch to the green list from 4 a.m. on Monday.
Montenegro and Thailand are also to be added to the Red List from August 30th.
No countries were moved from the green or red to the yellow list after a review of the latest coronavirus evidence on Thursday.
The update means that vacationers entering England from the seven places added to the green list no longer need to self-isolate on their return.
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A statement from the Department of Transport said the update was due to the locations that pose a low risk to the UK public health.
Travelers arriving from Red List countries must be quarantined for 10 days in a government-approved hotel.
Britons arriving from a red country must also take a Covid test three days before traveling to England, on or before the second day after arrival, and on or after the eighth day of quarantine.
“The high rates combined with a lower level of published genome surveillance in Thailand and Montenegro than in other countries mean that an outbreak of a new variant or existing variant of concern (VOC) or investigated variant (VUI) cannot be easily identified prior to import and sown across the UK, “said the Department of Transportation.
Passengers are encouraged to review all requirements and FCDO travel advice before booking international travel.
Some destinations have placed restrictions on British travelers, including quarantine measures once tourists arrive at their destination.
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