Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has given backing to regional ‘travel corridors’, which will see country-wide quarantine rules axed in favour of more localised restrictions. However, as part of the new rules, seven Greek islands have been dropped from England’s quarantine-free list.
From 4am on September 9, travellers returning from the Greek islands of Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos (Zante) must quarantine for 14 days. Mainland Greece will retain its travel corridor status.
The decision comes after Wales removed six Greek islands from its quarantine-free list last week. Adding to the confusion, however, two islands ditched by Wales (Paros and Antiparos) have not been ditched by England, while the loss of Santorini, Tinos and Serifos is exclusive to England.
The UK government is abandoning its all-or-nothing approach to quarantine, it would seem. The new regulations will allow quarantine-free travel to be extended to a country’s islands, even if infection rates on the mainland remain high.
This is heartening news for islands where cases are low, such as Madeira and the Azores, and at odds with statistics on the mainland. And, so too for those – such as Greece – whose islands are experiencing high infection rates.
It is not, however, good news for the thousands of Britons who are currently on holiday on Mykonos and others – they will likely be scrabbling to return home before the deadline, which is less than 36 hours away.
Scroll down for more updates on today's travel news.
04:39 PM
That's a wrap
Today's travel news has been dominated by the announcement of regional travel corridors – which, from 4am on Wednesday, will see tighter restrictions on travellers returning to England from seven Greek islands.
Other top stories include:
ABTA has warned of 'confusion' after the UK's approach to quarantine rules devolves further.
Leading hoteliers voice their support for Telegraph Travel's Test4Travel campaign, including Sir Rocco Forte.
Next year's Olympic Games will go ahead "with or without Covid", says IOC vice president John Coates.
Emirates has doled out a massive £1billion in Covid-19 flight refunds.
Tour operator TrekAmerica has ceased trading, becoming the latest casualty of the pandemic.
Please join us tomorrow for more breaking travel news.
04:10 PM
'I'm for anything that discourages British tourists from traveling to Greece'
Greek citizens and travel experts have been sharing their opinions on Twitter...
Ranging from the supportive:
I mean, given that there were nearly 3,000 new cases in the UK yesterday I am very for anything that discourages British tourists from traveling to Greece https://t.co/qRIJdWqnP9
I'll be enjoying it all the more now - knowing that I am now one of the latest travellers to fall down on @grantshapps "hokey cokey" in-out, as he wipes seven Greek islands off the list.... 14 days of Quarantinis for me from Thurs/Friday! https://t.co/wvBUEkBgtX
Skyscanner warns of UK travellers 'reacting rapidly' after announcement
The rush to return has resumed.
For those hoping for a swift return from the affected Greek islands, flights are still available on Skyscanner – for now. Departing tomorrow, options include Mykonos–London (£171), Crete–Newcastle (£80), and Santorini–Manchester (£127).
Jo McClintock, Director of Global Brand for the flight comparison website,commented:
"Following today's announcement, we expect to see UK travellers react rapidly and adapt travel plans. Greek islands have been one of the standout choices for travellers this summer, but as with the introduction of restrictions for travel to France, we anticipate travellers will reconsider their travel plans.
Travellers are opting for last minute trips and flexible policies to reduce the impact of these changes on their ability to travel. It's imperative that we do all we can to keep travellers informed and restore consumer confidence. In a recent survey 85% of UK travellers told us they'd be more likely to travel abroad if airport testing was in place.
We therefore welcome the news that the government is continuing to look further at measures which have the potential to reduce the quarantine period, while keeping travellers safe."
03:34 PM
Travel industry reaction to regional travel corridor announcement
Travel trade association ABTA has welcomed the Government's more nuanced approach to travel restrictions, but has warned of 'confusion':
“ABTA 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.”
03:17 PM
Which islands will now be exempt from holiday quarantine rules?
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said this afternoon that the Government has the "capacity to add and remove specific islands from quarantine".
He says this regionalised approach "can only apply to land that has clear boundaries or borders", and islands which have direct flights from the UK – or with minimum transport through quarantine exempt territories.
Shapps said that this new approach means the Government will now be able to make more nuanced decisions "to enable British tourists to enjoy trips to islands". The policy becomes active immediately.
03:12 PM
FCDO changes advice for Greek islands
In light of the Transport Secretary's announcement, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has amended its advice for Greek islands:
'The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office ( FCDO ) advise against all but essential travel to the islands of Lesvos, Tinos, Serifos, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos. This is based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks.
The rest of Greece remains exempt from the FCDO ’s advice against all non-essential international travel.
02:18 PM
Hope for travellers as testing could be used to reduce self isolation period
Could the Government be on the brink of quashing quarantine? A Downing Street spokesperson has today announced that airport testing could spell the end of lengthy self-isolation restrictions – sparking speculation that the Government is considering giving Covid-19 testing a green light.
Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister this afternoon, the source said: “Testing could be used to reduce the self isolation period”, but stressed that any new regime would need to be “robust enough to minimise the chance that positive cases are missed”.
The statement comes just days after Telegraph Travel launched its Test4Travel campaign, calling on the UK Government to implement a robust testing strategy at UK ports and airports.
This morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told LBC that ministers are "working to try to find a way to allow for the quarantine to be reduced".
He said that this will be "done in a way that also keeps people safe" as soon as it is "practical" to do so, and added that he is "working with Grant Shapps and the travel industry" to introduce tests for people eight days after arriving in the UK.
01:41 PM
Countries tighten restrictions on British tourists, as UK cases rise
As the UK’s Covid-19 cases continue to surge, there are rising concerns that more countries may introduce restrictions on British holidaymakers – rendering them off-limits until our own infection rate reduces.
Just as the UK has government-approved ‘travel corridors’, the likes of France, Greece and Spain have their own restrictions on overseas visitors – which, of course, are dependent on Covid-19 statistics.
On Sunday, the UK reported 2,988 new Covid-19 cases – the highest since the end of May, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed: overseas governments are already tightening travel restrictions for UK visitors. Barbados, for example, is currently on the UK’s ‘green’ list – meaning that returning holidaymakers have no need to quarantine – however, from September 14, Britons will be monitored by Barbadian authorities on a daily basis for a week, and must take two Covid-19 tests.
Barbados has tightened travel restrictions for British holidaymakers - Getty
Other countries that have introduced quarantine requirements for Britons include Estonia, Norway, Latvia and Lithuania – despite the UK Government not requiring returning holidaymakers to quarantine. And while Greece requires only a Passenger Locator Form from UK arrivals, it recently introduced a rule for tourists from Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands – among others – to show evidence of a negative test on arrival.
As the UK's quarantine rules become ever-more confusing, it begs the question: what happens when our own infection rate exceeds the Government's threshold of 20 cases per 100,000? On Sunday, the UK recorded 17.1 cases per 100,000 – just shy of its own cut-off point. If current trends continue, Telegraph's Travel's call for widespread testing will only become more vital for the health of the UK – that of both its citizens and economy.
01:31 PM
Tokyo Olympics will go ahead 'with or without Covid'
Tokyo's postponed Olympics will go ahead next year regardless of the coronavirus pandemic, IOC vice president John Coates told AFP on Monday, saying they would be the "Games that conquered Covid".
The Olympics have never been cancelled outside of the world wars and Mr Coates was adamant that the Tokyo Games will start on their revised date.
They are now set to open on July 23, 2021.
But Japan's borders are still largely closed to foreign visitors and a vaccine is months or even years away, feeding speculation about whether the Games are feasible at all.
01:21 PM
Announcement expected this afternoon with information on regional travel corridors
The Telegraph's Charles Hymas has reported that ministers are considering following Wales by sanctioning regional “travel corridors” where visitors to “low risk” islands like Madeira and the Azores would be exempt from quarantine despite travel bans on the mainland.
As we mentioned this morning, a decision could come as early as today – so stay tuned for updates.
Leading hoteliers support Test4Travel campaign as disaster looms for UK hotels
“The Government seems to be oblivious to this appalling situation,” fumes Sir Rocco Forte as he considers the staffing cuts he will soon be forced to make.
“We’re making some 80 people redundant across our two hotels in the UK, which is very disappointing, but I’ve got no option. We have an outflow of money every month, and have now had five months with virtually no income.”
Browns
He’s not the only one in this position. Plenty of hoteliers are now nervously eyeing the approach of October 31, when the Government’s furlough scheme ends and hospitality businesses will be left to contend with mounting wage bills, rental demands and bank payments by themselves.
But for many, the guests are still missing, with international travellers understandably choosing to stay put, rather than make the journey to the UK to then enter self-isolation for 14 days.
10 of the most glorious holidays in quarantine-free Turkey
For travellers returning from Turkey, the UK currently has no quarantine rules – which puts this sunny, affordable, welcoming country firmly on the map for autumn getaways.
'Ditching Air Passenger Duty could be the lifeboat that saves aviation'
Will the Government reduce or suspend Air Passenger Duty (APD) to help kickstart air travel?
Today came confirmation that the Treasury is considering the possibility of suspending the tax on return airfares within the UK – which would reduce the total due from £26 to £13 – and that it may, so the rumour goes, introduce a similar suspension for travel overseas.
Breaking: Tour operator TrekAmerica ceases trading
TrekAmerica, a UK-based tour operator specialising in US holidays, has announced on Twitter that it is "no longer taking bookings", and "no longer running trips".
"If you already have a booking with us, we’ll be offering a full refund," it said in a statement on its website this afternoon. "Even though we’re driving off into the sunset, we hope the friends and memories our Trek community have made will live on in our Trekkers for many more years to come."
A tourist has fallen to his death while taking selfies at a waterfall in Phuket, Thailand. Soipov Abdullokh, from Uzbekistan, had been hiking through the beauty spot with six Russian friends in Ranong, southern Thailand, on Saturday morning, reports Newslink.
The backpacker allegedly ignored warning signs not to stand at the top of the waterfalls in the national park, but slipped on the wet rock as his friends watched on in horror. He was later declared dead by paramedics at the scene.
Police said the tourist's body has been sent to hospital to confirm the cause of death. The Embassy of Uzbekistan has been informed.
11:25 AM
'There's no good reason why Sweden isn't on our quarantine-free list'
As Sweden's infection rate continues to drop, Oliver Smith asks why it's still on the UK's naughty step – despite it leading the way for Covid-19 recovery:
"You don’t hear much about Sweden any more. A few months ago, not a day passed without some media report dismissing the country’s brazen lack of lockdown. For keeping basic liberties intact and its economy ticking over, and for asking residents to use their common sense rather than imposing draconian restrictions, the country was characterised as unforgivably heartless. Never mind the thousands of lives sacrificed to non-Covid illnesses in lockdown-loving Britain, nor the spiralling job losses, or the colossal damage to our mental health.
"Now, however, there’s a spooky silence on the opinion desks of the Guardian and the New York Times. Sweden’s strategy appears to be reaping rewards. Across Europe, those countries that forced their citizens to stay at home are seeing big increases in Covid cases, while laissez-faire Sweden, benefitting, many believe, from a degree of herd immunity, has seen new infections plummet..."
Emirates returns AED5 billion (£1 billion) to customers in refunds
Emirates, the official airline of Dubai, UAE, has returned over £1 billion (AED 5 billion) in Covid-19 related travel refunds to date, it reports today.
More than 1.4 million refunds requests have been completed by the carrier since March, representing 90% of the airline’s caseload. For those of us waiting on refunds from other airlines, it certainly sets an example for customer service.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “We understand that from our customers’ standpoint, each pending refund request is one too many. We are committed to honouring refunds and are trying our utmost to clear the massive and unprecedented backlog that was caused by the pandemic. We are grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding.”
10:43 AM
Aviation support package 'cannot come quick enough', MPs say
The Department for Transport has released details of an upcoming strategy to support the aviation industry, writes Hannah Boland. Tactics could include reforming how airlines are allocated slots, and consulting on aviation tax changes (see previous blog post, below).
The indications over the expected strategy came in a response to a report by the Transport Select Committee, detailing how Covid-19 had hit the airline industry. An aviation recovery plan is expected this autumn.
Rumours are building that the Government will suspend Air Passenger Duty (APD) over the winter months, in a bid to boost recovery of the UK’s aviation sector.
There has been no official statement, but whisperings from Whitehall hint at plans to axe the controversial tax, reports Business Travel News. The Telegraph has long campaigned for the government to scrap or slash APD, which has seen tax on holidays rise by up to 700 per cent in recent years.
A statement from Huw Merriman MP, chair of the Transport Select Committee:
“The publication of an aviation recovery plan is welcome but it cannot come quick enough for a sector devastated by the impact of coronavirus. We await the Government’s aviation recovery plan and will look carefully at how Government intends to deal with some of the specific points in our report.
“The Government’s quarantine regime, coupled by a refusal to endorse airport testing to reduce the quarantine period, adds further barriers to travel. Whilst the Government’s approach can be argued for on health grounds, it also further justifies the Committee’s original call for the Government to provide a sector deal to support our ailing aviation industry and its workforce.”
10:02 AM
Bahrain drops quarantine requirements for airport arrivals
Bahrain has dropped quarantine requirements for airport arrivals after discovering only a small proportion of passengers developed COVID-19 during self-isolation.
Officials in the Gulf state lifted the requirements after discovering that just 0.2 per cent of cases – or 1 in every 500 passengers – became infectious during a 10-day quarantine period.
Travellers were previously required to stay home after taking an airport nasal swab, with a second test needed to exit isolation.
But following the rule change passengers only need to receive a negative result, which takes just 12 hours.
Yesterday, Bahrain re-opened its borders to tourists and non-residents, including those from the UK, after the introduction of new COVID-19 testing measures.
09:55 AM
'Airport tests are the only way our vital travel industry can recover'
Last week, Telegraph Travel launched a campaign to scrap quarantine through airport testing. Test4Travel urges the Government to roll out affordable Covid-19 tests on arrivals at all UK airports and ports, by Christmas.
Consumer expert Nick Trend explains:
The travel industry is banging its head against the wall in frustration, and consumers are left anxious and uncertain. Many who were in Portugal this week, and monitoring the infection rates there, assumed quarantine would be introduced and rushed home early, some paying over £500 each for their new flights. They could have stayed happily and returned home as originally planned.
I have some sympathy for those trying to manage this policy. But it has become clear the problem is not the way it is administered, but the policy itself. As a second wave of Covid-19 surges through Europe, it is too unwieldy. Instead of boosting confidence in travel, it undermines it.
But there is a solution. The current quarantine arrangements are not the only way to tackle the problem: we think the answer lies in airport testing and there is increasing certainty in the industry that this is the way forward.
France considers reducing isolation period to five days
This just in, on the latest in France – by Henry Samuel in Paris:
France could reduce the self-isolation period for people with Covid-19 – or those who have been in contact with them – to five days down from 14, say reports.
France's health minister, Olivier Véran, made it clear this weekend that he wanted to reduce the current self-isolation period by telling BFMTV: "This famous two-week quarantine is doubtless too long.
"I have asked scientific authorities to advise whether we can't reduce it."
According to Le Journal du Dimanche, France's scientific council has already given its green light to the idea of a period of between five to seven days. Antoine Flahault, an epidemiologist at the institute of global health in Geneva, told the paper: "Data shows today that most contagions occur in the window of the first five days after symptoms appear.
"If we could already respect these five days, we would no doubt let a few people still carrying the disease through, but (these would) apparently not be very contagious."
According to JDD the government is tempted to opt for the shorter period to make it "more socially acceptable" and thus better respected. "Five to seven days is a pragmatic compromise," said Mr Flahaut.
However, some experts say such a move would be "imprudent".
"We would drop our guard just as the spread of virus is becoming very active again. It seems a risky bet," said William Dab, former director-general of French health.
09:32 AM
What will happen to travel influencers now that they can't travel?
Love them or loathe them, travel 'influencers' – globetrotting social media stars – depend on international travel to keep their followers engaged. Or do they? Chris Schalkx investigates how the likes of @doyoutravel and @ellenextdoor (which have a 3-million-strong Instagram fan base between them) are making money while grounded.
There's been an increase in the number of coronavirus cases reported in Greece in recent weeks. However, the latest figures still put it safely under the UK Government's threshold of 20 cases per 100,000 over seven days; Greece is at 13.1.
Here's how Greece's graph currently looks:
09:00 AM
What cruising looks like in the Covid-19 era
Costa Deliziosa's first cruise since before lockdown will last a week - Costa Cruises
Though ocean cruise holidays are currently off-limits to UK travellers, with the FCDO still advising against all sea-going holidays, Italy-based Costa Cruises returned to the waves this weekend. But it's not quite business as usual, finds Kaye Holland:
All passengers must undergo a health screening before boarding, which includes a Covid-19 diagnostic test with a swab.
Onboard, the use of masks will be mandatory when indoors while outdoors they will be required in situations where social distancing may not be possible, and there will be an increased reliance on personal technology such as smartphone app, MyCosta. Elsewhere instead of buffets, meals are set to be served to the table and onboard medical care for all passengers and crew will be available around the clock.
As for excursions, they will be tightly controlled. All shore tours have been redesigned with small groups of people and staggered departures, with sanitisation of buses before and after each use.
Would tighter protocols on cruise ships put you off booking? Tell us in the comments below
08:42 AM
Inside Heathrow's coronavirus testing facility
The UK's busiest airport has built a Covid-19 testing zone at Terminal 2, with capacity to screen up to 13,000 passengers per day. It will soon be joined by a second facility at Terminal 5. Take a look inside...
08:37 AM
The weekend's Covid-19 statistics
Here is the current state of affairs regarding on the UK's 'traffic light' system, used to judge which countries are on our quarantine-exempt list. Portugal's infection rate is now higher than Austria and Belgium – which are currently off-limits to UK travellers.
Airport bosses warn Boris Johnson of 'irreparable' damage without tests on arrival
Boris Johnson has been warned by the bosses of the UK’s 20 biggest airports he risks “irreparable damage” to the economy unless he moves to replace quarantine with Covid-19 testing in the next week, writes Charles Hymas.
In a letter to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the signatories, including bosses at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Luton, give Mr Johnson seven days to give the go ahead to testing as one of a series of measures to prevent the loss of up to 110,000 aviation and allied industry jobs.
Ministers are also considering following Wales by sanctioning regional “travel corridors” where visitors to “low risk” islands like Madeira and the Azores would be exempt from quarantine despite travel bans on the mainland.
Industry sources have told The Telegraph that a decision may come as early as today – so, of course, we will be bring you the latest updates on any development.
The Money Saving Expert has issued a warning to UK homeowners who have curtains hanging up in their homes - saying you could save hundreds by following his advice.
Motorists can save up to 25 percent on petrol and diesel by removing one item from their car, according to motoring experts. The item in question is a common sight on many vehicles
Gemma Atkinson has spoken about her relationship with her fiance Gorka Marquez, including having discussed them being away from each other due to work commitments.
Samantha Davis, the wife of Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis and herself an actress, has died aged 53. Samantha co-founded the dwarfism charity Little People UK and featured in the final Harry Potter film, alongside Warwick. Warwick announced the news in a statement to the BBC, revealing she had died on 24 March.
Prince Harry and his brother Prince William were said to be inseparable - but one moment six years ago at Harry's wedding their 'happiness together' reportedly changed
BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce was forced to intervene and reprimand a Tory Cabinet Secretary after he launched a personal attack on another panellist ...
Israel’s strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers – but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war.
If this Israeli attack on Iran is no more than it presently appears to be, then it is rather well modulated. If the airbase at Isfahan has been attacked - home to the 8th Tactical Air Wing of the Iranian Air Force, and not a Revolutionary Guard installation - then the Israelis are making their point against a conventional military target. It is not an enrichment plant or a reactor, but the wide-ranging nuclear research conducted there involves some 3,000 Iranian nuclear scientists.
Israel’s presumed counterstrike against Iran has proved Joe Biden and David Cameron wrong in their insistence that Israel should just “take the win”. Instead, it fought back – and yesterday Iran was trying to pretend that nothing had happened.
Yahoo News 