Government could introduce ‘regional’ air bridges to allow travel to specific parts of banned countries like Portugal with low coronavirus infection rates
- Review of current list of banned countries expected to be published on Monday
- So-called ‘regional’ air bridges could be introduced to ease existing restrictions
- Would allow people to go to parts of banned countries and not have to isolate
‘Regional’ air bridges could be set up with countries currently on the UK’s banned list to allow people to travel to specific areas with low rates of coronavirus infection.
Ministers are believed to be considering introducing the measures in order to restart travel to countries like Portugal and the US.
The ‘regional’ air bridges plan could see low risk areas identified in high risk countries which travellers would be able visit without then being subject to 14-day quarantine rules upon their return.
Such a move would mean the end of outright travel bans on entire countries and represent a further easing of quarantine rules.
It is thought the air bridge plan is being looked at as part of a review of current travel restrictions, with changes due to be announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Monday.
Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, will announce the results of a review of coronavirus travel restrictions on Monday next week
It is thought ministers are considering plans to introduce ‘regional’ air bridges to allow travel to low risk areas of high risk countries. Pictures in a beach in Oeiras, outside Lisbon
The introduction of ‘regional’ air bridges could open up travel to tourist hotspots like The Algarve and Madeira in Portugal while keeping a ban on going to areas like Lisbon where coronavirus is more prevalent.
It could also allow for the return of some travel to the US amid fears the national scale of its outbreak could result in a long term ban.
A source told The Telegraph: ‘Regional air bridges are an option for countries with localised outbreaks.
‘The US is a major issue. If you judge it nationally, the absence of travel could go on for months, which is where individual testing of arrivals could work.’
Meanwhile, ministers are also believed to be looking at introducing coronavirus tests before or on arrival at UK airports in a further measure which could reopen travel to the US.
Mr Shapps will set out on Monday any changes to the current travel rules and announce whether any countries will be added to the 74 which are already exempt from the 14-day quarantine requirement.
Mr Shapps would not be drawn this morning on what could be announced next week.
He told Sky News: ‘I will be talking more about the way forward on things like international travel corridors then.
‘Regional’ air bridges could allow for some travel to resume to parts of the US amid fears the state of its national coronavirus crisis could see restrictions in place for a long time
‘But now, each week actually, we are reviewing and, where required, updating the list of countries it’s safe to travel to.’
The Transport Secretary also said he ‘can’t confirm’ whether the Government has considered suspending Air Passenger Duty to support airlines hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Asked if the Government would look at making such a change, he told Sky News: ‘I’m the Transport Secretary rather than the Chancellor so I can’t, I’m afraid, tell them that.’
He added: ‘I can’t get into pre-empting budget and other measures, so I can’t confirm that at all, I’m afraid.’