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The Government is set to ban arrivals from a number of southern African countries, plus the Seychelles and Mauritius, amid fears of the new South African strain of Covid-19 spreading across the continent.
All arrivals who have travelled to or transited through Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, eSwatini, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique, Angola, the Seychelles and Mauritius in the past ten days will be prohibited from entering the UK.
The measure will be in place for a provisional two weeks, and apply to all travellers except British/Irish nationals.
Botswana, Mauritius and Seychelles will also be removed from the UK's travel corridor list from 4am on 9 January, along with Israel.
This comes after the Government on December 23 banned entry for travellers who had been to, or transited through, South Africa in the previous ten days. All flights from South Africa are banned indefinitely.
Aside from the new travel bans, the Government is due to make an announcement on testing arrivals. It is expected that anyone arriving in the UK will need to present a negative Covid-19 test result, taken 72 hours before travel.
Scroll down for more of today's travel news.
07:22 PM
That's a wrap
Before we sign off for the evening, here’s a quick recap of today’s top stories:
UK travel ban for Southern Africa
Britons warned of summer holiday shortage
France indefinitely extends travel ban for passengers from UK
New UK entry rules could price millions of Brits out of holidays
Jet2 launches its summer sale... for 2022
See you bright and early tomorrow for more travel news.
06:42 PM
Government to introduce tougher testing rules?
We are expecting comment tonight from the Department for Transport, on the potential tightening of entry regulations at the UK borders.
Every traveller coming into any UK port or airport will likely be expected to have a negative PCR test in order to enter the UK as part of a significant toughening of border controls.
It may well cover all countries, including those with travel corridors under which people are currently exempted from quarantine on arrival in the UK.
I understand, from next Thursday, all international arrivals into the #UK will need to show proof of a negative test taken up to 72hrs before. Airlines/Eurostar/ferries to check proof before departure or will refuse entry. £500 fine for anyone not complying. @ThePCAgency #COVID19
— Paul Charles (@PPaulCharles) January 7, 2021
06:03 PM
Britons warned of summer holiday shortage
Travel agents are warning of rising holiday prices and an impending shortage of summer availability – caused by pent-up demand for future trips, and the many postponed bookings from last year.
"We’ve already seen an increase in bookings for this summer with Greece and Turkey currently being the most popular choices for customers, followed by the Balearic and Canary Islands," a TUI spokesperson told Telegraph Travel.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cook reported "an immediate jump in holiday bookings as soon as people finished work for Christmas".
The UK's domestic travel industry has warned of limited availability this year. "The pent-up demand for Easter through to 2022 is really high," said Alistair Handyside, Executive Chair of The Professional Association of Self-Caterers UK.
"Anyone who has not booked a holiday in the UK soon will be looking at the leftovers."
Package holiday prices are largely driven by the cost of flights, says Craig Ashford, Director of Marketing at travel agency TravelUp – and as demand rises, so too will holiday prices, he warns. "Airlines are trying to stimulate the market so there are some phenomenally low rates. As confidence returns the total number of airline seats will remain the same, so the cost will rise. "My strong advice is to book now."
05:53 PM
Breaking: UK travel ban for Southern Africa
Entry to the UK from multiple countries in South Africa will be prohibited, the Government has announced.
The new rules will affect travellers from the Seychelles, Mauritius, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique, Angola and Eswatini.
Botswana, Mauritius and the Seychelles will also be removed from the UK's travel corridor list.
Travel restrictions extended to southern African countries from 4am Sat 9 January 2021. 1/3https://t.co/XKYl5yaVU6
— Dept for Transport #StayHomeSaveLives (@transportgovuk) January 7, 2021
05:49 PM
Tishani Doshi: 'Italy has always reminded me of a sort of European India'
Tishani Doshi - Getty
After a student trip to Italy, Tishani Doshi resolved to stop ‘plodding along’ – and to become a poet:
I first visited Italy in the summer of 1995. I had moved from India to study at Queen’s University in North Carolina and chose Italy as the destination for my junior year trip. The idea was that we would spend the semester studying Italian culture, history and language before going on a three-week trip from Naples to Venice.
When we landed in Naples, I was struck by the feeling that I understood this place – I think partly because Italy has always reminded me of a sort of European India, which was where I grew up. You see the buildings with the clothes hanging outside, the bustling street corners, and there’s a nervous, exciting energy of life that’s outside and very vocal. This was in particular contrast to my experience in America, which I just didn’t understand, and where I felt lonely and far away.
Read the full story.
05:22 PM
France indefinitely extends travel ban for passengers from UK
French PM Jean Castex has announced that the restrictions that are in place for travel from the UK will be extended indefinitely.
This applies to all air, car, ferry and train passengers; and was first introduced on December 20.
As before, there are exceptions for French nationals, nationals of the European Area, British and/or third country nationals who are habitually resident in France or must travel for essential reasons.
Those that do have an exception to enter must also present a negative COVID-19 test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure.
Watch: What you can and can't do during England's third national lockdown
04:58 PM
Travel corridors update imminent
We are poised to hear from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps soon, on any new updates to the UK's travel corridor list. More on this as soon as we have it.
With a weekly travel corridor update due later today, I believe we’ll hear details on #UK border controls and testing as well? Our latest chart shows substantial movement, especially rising rates in #Cyprus #Sweden and #UAE. #COVID19 @ThePCAgency pic.twitter.com/AisPwqjbxf
— Paul Charles (@PPaulCharles) January 7, 2021
04:53 PM
Portugal considers new lockdown as Covid infections surge
Portugal will decide next week on potential tougher restrictions that could amount to a new lockdown if its current surge in coronavirus infections continues, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said today.
"If the very likely evolution (of the pandemic) is confirmed next week, we will have to adopt more restrictive measures as it has happened in other European nations," Mr Costa told reporters after a government meeting.
"General confinement measures could be adopted."
The daily tally of Covid-19 cases in the nation of around 10 million people hit a record 10,027 on Wednesday, putting increasing pressure on the health system.
04:36 PM
Christmas trips '70 per cent booked' for next winter
Santa: in demand
The tree is down, the tinsel is put away... and the January blues have arrived. If you think next Christmas can't come too soon, you're not alone: festive travel specialist Santa's Lapland says that 70 per cent of its 2021 trips are sold out already.
So much so, it has launched Christmas trips for winter 2022 – a whole twelve months ahead of schedule.
CEO Joe Ponte explains:
Christmas 2020 was disappointing for many, so parents are thinking about what they can do to make up for it this year. As families have looked to secure that Christmas magic, new Santa’s Lapland bookings for 2021 have poured in.
Combined with the high numbers of people who chose to rebook for 2021 after their 2020 trips were suspended, we’ve seen great numbers filling our 2021 programme. So much so, that we are now 70 per cent booked for Christmas 2021 and now need to offer our customers the chance to book Santa’s Lapland holidays in 2022.
We have increased the number of departure dates we’re offering, and put our 2022 programme on sale early.
04:18 PM
How to help the hotels and self-catering gems you love
The last year has been incredibly hard for every accommodation business in the country – but you can help them recover, says Susan Briggs, founder of the Tourism Network.
Her tips for more mindful, sustainable UK travel in 2021:
Think before you review. All business owners have the same plea: speak to the manager or owner if something is wrong, before you become a keyboard warrior. Allow them to address in person any issues you may experience, and write your review with honesty.
Don’t be a no-show: Every business owner recognises that sometimes you need to change arrangements, but they wish you’d do it in good time. No shows mean that businesses lose income twice – from the person not showing, and from those they’ve turned away.
Book direct: Accommodation providers have to pay up to 30% commission to comparison sites. Everyone gains through direct booking: the business can invest more in their property and services for visitors, and guests get a better rate by booking direct – as well as more personalised service and better rooms. Accommodation providers rarely allocate their best rooms to those who’ve booked through online travel agents.
04:01 PM
Australia set to approve increased measures on UK passengers
The Australian National Cabinet is set to pass increased measures on people travelling from the UK, in an attempt to contain the spread of the new coronavirus variant first identified in England.
UK passengers will likely soon be required to undergo both pre-flight and post-flight rapid testing, which gives results in just minutes. These new measures would be in addition to the existing strict 14-day hotel quarantine. Passengers arriving from other countries will not be subject to the increased restrictions.
Entry to Australia is currently restricted to just Australian citizens and permanent residents, or those with an exemption. Strict caps have been placed on the number of passengers who can arrive each week, leaving up to 40,000 Australians still stranded abroad.
Signalling increased restrictions, Prime Minister Scott Robinson said this week: "Getting Australians home is important but so is keeping Australians safe and ensuring the robustness of our processes and the quarantine arrangements, particularly with the additional risks that come with the more contagious strain."
03:45 PM
France's least crowded corner, home to stirring landscapes and perfect villages
Sainte-Enimie - Getty
You’ve more chance of catching foot-and-mouth than Covid-19 in empty Lozère, says Anthony Peregrine:
The second time I went to Lozère was to get married. The first time had been to meet my future wife’s farming parents. Mother-in-law hadn’t been noticeably thrilled by the arrival of an Englishman. The wedding day came round all the same. The bride wore white and the priest wore wellies. He had, he explained, urgent gardening business immediately afterwards.
The traditional post-church tour of all the village bars gave way to a reception in the back room of a café. The posher hotel we’d reserved had double-booked. We lost. The young café-owners sprinkled far too much slipping powder on the dance-floor, so we sneezed through to dawn, and married life got off on the best possible footing.
Ever since, I have felt attached to these wild uplands at the southern end of the Massif Central.
Read the full story.
03:35 PM
'We now have the time to plan and to start dreaming again'
Yes, prices will go up and hotels may become fully booked – but there's another reason to book your summer holiday sharpish. You deserve – nay, need – something to look forward to.
So says Derek Moore, Deputy Chairman of AITO – The Specialist Travel Association.
After months of doom and gloom we at last have a glimmer of sunshine ahead: the vaccines. We are not there yet, and won’t be until they have done their work, but this is surely the time for locked-down travellers to start the exciting process of sorting that all-important ‘we’re free again’ holiday!
Suddenly the lockdown time can be put to good use reading about the places you want to head for, researching the new offerings from tour operators, and getting ready to book the minute you are confident to do so.
Many feel that the research and the planning is half the fun of choosing a holiday – and, with light at the end of the tunnel, we now have the time to plan and to start dreaming again.”
We'll just leave this here...
03:20 PM
New UK entry rules could price millions of Brits out of holidays if confirmed
Travellers could be hit with double testing charges this summer - Getty
The news that anyone travelling into the UK will soon be required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test has been welcomed by many who have been calling for increased border controls since the onset of the pandemic.
However, concerns have been raised that the new UK testing requirements will mean families could be priced out of holidays once the national lockdown is lifted. Indeed, if strict entry measures continue into the summer, holidaymakers heading to the likes of France and Spain may need to pay for a private test before departure and secure a test before returning to the UK.
As holidaymakers have found out this year, securing a Covid-19 test for travel is a costly endeavour. In the UK, private tests generally run from £80 up to £300 for same-day results. There is some hope that the cost could come down as testing infrastructure continues to grow and companies become more competitive with their pricing, but even still it could prove prohibitive to many families hoping to get away.
Holiday companies could potentially build the cost of a return test into holiday packages, but no operator has announced plans to do this yet.
Emma Beaumont has the story.
03:08 PM
One in two hospitality firms on the brink as cash runs out
Mass business collapses could be on the way as almost three in ten hospitality businesses warn they have little chance of survival beyond the first quarter of 2021.
Four in ten food services and accommodation businesses had temporarily ceased trading in the crucial fortnight before Christmas, the Office for National Statistics found, with Covid rules severely limiting their ability to operate in much of the country.
As a result, more than three-quarters said turnover was down compared with their usual expectations for the period.
Tim Wallace has the full story.
03:00 PM
How Sandals – and its ebullient founder – reinvented holidays in the Caribbean
The swim-up bar: first seen at Sandals
Such was the familiarity of the Godfather of Jamaican and Caribbean tourism that everyone simply called him ‘Butch’. Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, who died on January 4, was an affable man, ebullient and immensely energetic, a giant in the tourism industry who would talk to anyone. He was a salesman and a great communicator, for his businesses and for Jamaica, and his influence stretched throughout the Caribbean and beyond.
Butch Stewart had humble beginnings, raised on Jamaica’s north coast, but he was an entrepreneur from the start, and caught the wave of several Caribbean industries. In the 1960s he set up his first company, distributing and servicing air conditioners, then becoming popular on the island.
This carried him through the Seventies, a difficult political and economic period in Jamaica, and his success and energy left him poised to ride the Caribbean wave of mass tourism in the Eighties. In 1981 he bought a tired hotel in Montego Bay and re-opened it as a Sandals resort.
His vision was clear – as James Henderson discovers.
02:42 PM
Brexit tour of Britain: Curious places that defined our complex relationship with Europe
The first Eurosceptic? - Getty
Brexit is about places as well as people, events as well as attitudes. And in decades to come, maybe tourists will explore the sites behind Britain’s historic decision.
It might seem early to be planning a tour of Brexitland, but history books have already been published about the UK’s historic decision to leave the EU and, since we’re likely to be stuck on these islands a lot during 2021 (aka Brexit Year One), here’s a 21-stop tour – with free red, white and blue-badge guide blurb provided, as well as a seat on Big Red Bus no 350.
Chris Moss is your guide.
02:20 PM
Cruise industry gears up for its 'year of recovery'
Can the cruise industry weather the coronavirus storm and recover? Leading cruise journalist, Jane Archer, tells The Telegraph: “I think cruise holidays will bounce back quicker than many expect.”
There are hundreds of thousands of avid cruisers in the UK who can’t wait to get back to sea – look at the numbers who opted for future cruise credits when holidays were cancelled and the new bookings coming in for 2021.
Tui, which was forced to postpone the launch of its new river line – first until November and then until spring – is now “looking forward to welcoming our first customers onboard in March and finally launching Tui River Cruises, after what has been a truly unprecedented time,” said Richard Sofer, the line’s commercial and business development director.
Luxury river and ocean cruising specialist, Scenic, is another line “cautiously optimistic that 2021 will be the year the cruising industry will start to bounce back” revealed Sarah Lancashire, Scenic UK’s brand and marketing manager.
Kaye Holland has the full story.
02:03 PM
Amazon villagers are using vine tea to treat Covid-19
In the middle of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, far from the laboratories of the world's major pharmaceutical companies, the Kayapó indigenous people of Para state are using a drink made from vines to help them ward off the worst effects of Covid-19.
As incursions into the Amazon by illegal loggers and miners have increased during the pandemic, potentially exposing forest-dwelling tribes to the virus, the Kayapó say their natural treatment is helping to keep them safe.
The skin of the vine - the name of which the community is keeping secret - is boiled and strained into a tea which is drunk three times a day, for five days, explained Po Yre, a 23-year-old member of the Kayapó community from Pykany village.
It's not just the Kayapó tribe who are having to adapt to Covid-19, Amazon communities were particularly hard hit in the early stages of Brazil's coronavirus pandemic last year - Simon Townsley
"The medicine is very strong. When you take it, you get weak, sometimes with red eyes and a headache. But, the next day, it works. You wake up well," said Po Yre, who took the remedy after he tested positive for Covid-19 in July.
While there is no scientific evidence that the tea can combat the virus, Kayapó leaders have said all community members should drink it as a form of prevention against Covid, which has killed nearly 200,000 Brazilians, according to official figures.
Villagers say it is the best way to keep the pandemic from wiping out indigenous communities, which they say have had limited support from the federal government.
Health experts warn that the coronavirus pandemic endangers indigenous communities with limited or no access to healthcare in the Amazon and whose communal living makes social distancing difficult.
01:45 PM
French ski resorts ordered to keep lifts shut
Ski resorts in France had hoped they would be able to open lifts, many for the first time this winter, today – but their hopes have been slashed, Lucy Aspden reports.
Secretary of State for tourism Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne told AFP that in light of "a rather steep rise in terms of new (Covid-19) cases and intensive care admissions", the French government has decided to push back the reopening date of the nation's lifts.
Prime Minister Jean Castex and Health Minister Olivier Véran are set to hold a press conference today at 6pm to confirm the decision and it's safe to say resort bosses are not happy with the prolonged closure.
An empty Chamrousse ski resort, near Grenoble in the Belledone range - Getty
“The Christmas holidays proved that the mountain resorts were organized to welcome holidaymakers in total health security. The practice of an individual outdoor sport such as skiing does not present any specific risk,” read a joint statement from Jean-Luc Boch, president of France Montagnes and President of the National Association of Mayors of Mountain Stations, Alexandre Maulin, president of Domaines Skiables de France and Eric Brèche, president of the National Union of French Ski Instructors.
“Winter tourism represents 120,000 direct jobs and 10 billion euros in turnover. Without openness, it is not only companies and employees who will suffer the consequences, but also all of life and the inhabitants of our mountain regions. The consequences of a lack of openness risk being the final and irreversible destruction of our economic model,” continues the statement.
If lifts stand still into February ski resorts look set to lose huge amounts of revenue. Statistics from France Montagnes reveal ski holidays in February contribute 35 per cent of the winter’s income, making it the most lucrative month of the year.
01:39 PM
'Incomprehensible' that UK is not already testing overseas arrivals
Ali Shah, CEO of holiday booking site TravelUp, believes the introduction of a pre-departure testing requirement for all UK arrivals is long overdue. He says:
"It is incomprehensible to me why some of the poorest countries in the world were extremely quick to introduce mandatory testing, whilst the UK continues to have some of the most lax measures.
"In December, the Government launched the Test to Release scheme, which allows travellers to end self-isolation early should they get a negative coronavirus test five days after arrival. However, the system has been a disaster. The Government did not even provide a list of approved testing companies until the day the programme was introduced. Taking a test is also expensive with costs ranging from £60 to over £200.
"The Prime Minister has been hinting this week that he may introduce testing for UK arrivals. He needs to get a move on and do it. This is not a time for delay. We need urgent action and we need a comprehensive testing programme in place as soon as possible. We need testing to be widely available and for it to be cheap if not free.
"This new lockdown could not have come at a worse time for the travel industry. We were just starting to see some optimism return to the travel sector with people encouraged by the vaccine roll-out. Families were slowly starting to book summer holidays again and things were looking up after many months of misery. Decisive action now from the government can help to preserve the future for travel."
01:21 PM
Jet2 launches its summer sale... for 2022
The summer sale comes earlier than ever before, amid strong demand from holidaymakers looking to book trips far in advance.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “After much uncertainty, the positive news about a vaccine coupled with a real desire to get away, means we are seeing strong demand from holidaymakers wanting to plan and book future holidays.
"As always, we respond to what our customers and independent travel agency partners are telling us, so we have put Summer 22 on sale from all ten of our UK bases, meaning we’re on sale with our summer programme earlier than ever before.
"With sunshine favourites on sale, the scale of our programme means there is plenty of choice and flexibility for customers and independent travel agents to choose from with our award-winning airline and tour operator.
"With more good news around the corner, we’re sure that our Summer 22 programme will be a huge hit with local holidaymakers looking to secure a much-needed holiday and give themselves something to look forward to.”
01:04 PM
Japan declares state of emergency in Tokyo region
Japan's government has declared a month-long coronavirus state of emergency in the greater Tokyo area as the capital reported another record surge in daily infections.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga described a "great sense of crisis" as he announced the measure, which begins Friday and is less strict than the harsh lockdowns seen elsewhere or even the country's first virus emergency last spring.
It primarily targets restaurants and bars, which will be asked to stop serving alcohol by 7 pm and close an hour later.
Shinjuku district in Japan - Getty
Suga made a special appeal to young people to abide by the requests, saying that more than half of recent new infections in greater Tokyo were among the under-30s.
"Please act... in order to save precious lives of your parents, grandfathers, grandmothers and friends," he said.
Tokyo recorded 2,447 new cases on Thursday - shattering the previous record of 1,591 logged a day earlier, and representing a sizeable chunk of the 7,490 new cases reported nationwide.
Still, Japan's outbreak remains comparatively small, with around 3,700 deaths overall.
12:46 PM
Ireland overtakes UK in Covid infection table
Rising infections has seen Ireland leapfrog the UK to become the country with the third highest seven-day case rate. The Czech Republic, which was praised for its handling of the pandemic last spring only to be hit harder than the rest of Europe in winter, tops the table.
12:35 PM
Barbados and Dubai could be removed from travel corridor list
The Government is expected to review its quarantine-free travel corridor list at 5pm, the first update since December 21, and a couple of destinations appear at risk.
Cases have risen in the UAE and Barbados in recent weeks, pushing their seven-day infection rates to 131.6 per 100,000 residents and 129.4, respectively. While the UK's own rate is far higher (607.5), it has previously ditched countries that crossed the 100 barrier.
Holidays are not allowed under lockdown rules but any changes will affect those already abroad or needing to travel for essential reasons. It would also bode ill for the prospects of post-lockdown trips.
12:28 PM
National Express suspends coach services following lockdown
National Express will fully suspend its national network of scheduled coach services with effect from 23:59 on Sunday 10 January.
Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach: “We have been providing an important service for essential travel needs. However, with tighter restrictions and passenger numbers falling, it is no longer appropriate to do this."
All journeys before Monday 11 January will be completed to ensure any passengers making essential journeys are not stranded and customers who's all customers whose travel has been cancelled will be offered refunds or amendments to journeys.
"We plan to be back on the road as soon as the time is right and have put a provisional restart date of Monday 1 March in place," added Mr Hardy.
“The whole team at National Express worked incredibly hard throughout 2020 and I want to thank them for their efforts as we pause our services. We will now make sure we are ready to get back behind the wheel as soon as the nation needs us again.”
12:21 PM
Wales reports 1,718 new cases and 63 deaths
There have been a further 1,718 cases of coronavirus in Wales, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 163,234.
Public Health Wales reported another 63 deaths, taking the total in Wales since the start of the pandemic to 3,801.
The agency said a total of 49,428 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been given in Wales, including 25 second doses, as of the week ending January 3.
11:59 AM
Snowmen show their support in St Anton
This weekend the world’s skiing elite will take to the slopes of St Anton am Arlberg, Austria. But while there will be no human spectators to watch the Arlberg Kandahar races – which include the international FIS women’s downhill and super-G World Cup competitions – a crowd of snowmen has been constructed by local children, to add some atmosphere to the Karl Schranz stadium.
All proceeds from the sponsored snowmen will go to charity - TVB St. Anton am Arlberg / Patrick Bätz
They'll enjoy a front-row view of the Arlberg Kandahar races - TVB St. Anton am Arlberg / Patrick Bätz
Race fans can choose to sponsor a snowman for €100, with all money raised going to the CARITAS relief campaign, a sustainable water project in Africa.
11:45 AM
Downing Street press conference at 5pm
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hold a Downing Street press conference at 5pm, alongside NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens.
As it's Thursday, we are also expecting an update from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on the UK's travel corridor list at 5pm. Though holidays are, of course, currently prohibited, any changes may impact essential travel – such as work trips and emergency journeys.
Shapps usually announces any changes on his Twitter feed, but we'll have all the updates right here on the Travel Live Blog too.
11:32 AM
Ski holidays cancelled until March
Hotelplan, which owns leading ski operators Inghams, Ski Total and Flexiski, has confirmed it is cancelling all ski holidays until after February 27.
The group has already cancelled all holidays for the winter with its brand Esprit Ski.
"Following the announcement of new national lockdown restrictions, this week, we have sadly further suspended all Inghams, Ski Total and Flexiski holidays until after 27 February 2021,” said Joe Ponte, CEO of Hotelplan UK.
Again, we are extremely disappointed for all of our customers impacted by this news. We hope they will choose to join us on an alternative holiday at a later date, but of course we will provide them with a refund if they want one.
It’s still not clear when we will able to travel from the UK to European ski destinations, and understandably many people are eager to get back on the slopes. Our customers can remain assured that we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and when it is safe to do so, we will be ready to deliver the ski holidays people want.
The move follows a similar decision by Crystal Ski Holidays, the UK’s biggest ski operator, which has suspended all trips up to and including February 12 – it is yet to make a decision on February half-term departures.
What impact does the UK’s third national lockdown have on ski holidays? Our experts reveal all.
11:22 AM
Arrivals in Ireland without negative test face six months in jail or €2,500 fine
Airline Aer Lingus is warning travellers from Britain and South Africa that those without a negative Covid-19 certificate will face a €2,500 fine or six months' imprisonment.
The law will come into effect on January 9 – this Saturday. The airline's warning reads:
Due to concerns relating to new strain of the covid-19 virus in Great Britain and South Africa, passengers originating from these countries who are travelling to Ireland must provide evidence (email, text or document) of a "negative" or "not detected" result for a covid-19 PCR test obtained within 72 hours of departure. Passengers in breach of this requirement may be prosecuted upon entering the state, an offence punishable by a fine up to €2,500 or up to 6 months in prison or both, unless they are an exempted traveller as set out on the government website (e.g. essential transport supply chain workers, limited humanitarian reasons, transit, etc.)
All travellers are advised to check the requirements on the Government website.
11:13 AM
Travellers to Barbados 'may need to wear electronic tracking bracelets'
Holidaymakers arriving in Barbados may have to wear 'electronic tracking bracelets' until they are confirmed to be negative of Covid-19.
This morning, the updated advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office reads:
You will need to remain in your hotel room and may be required to wear an electronic tracking bracelet until you receive the results of your second test.
If the result of that second test is negative, you will not be subject to further quarantine.
It is thought the measure would enable health authorities to check whether holidaymakers are adhering to their self-isolation requirements.
11:06 AM
The ‘new normal’ for French ski resorts in 2021
Whether British skiers and snowboarders will be able to travel restriction- or quarantine-free to the French Alps this winter remains to be seen.
Additionally, while ski resorts have been open for other activities since mid-December, a decision on whether ski lifts in France will be allowed to open, many for the first time this winter, is yet to be made, with an announcement due this evening.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding what fate President Macron will cast on ski lifts later today many resorts are still hopeful that by the spring there will be a chance to make fresh tracks.
Lucy Aspden has the latest.
10:47 AM
Priti Patel: Tighter border restrictions 'very shortly'
The Home Secretary Priti Patel has told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the UK Government will be announcing 'further action' regarding border restrictions imminently.
"Further action is going to take place," she told the programme. "The Government is reviewing measures at the border... You will hear very shortly some of the changes that the Government will be proposing."
Earlier this week, The Telegraph revealed that passengers would be prohibited from travelling to the UK without a negative Covid-19 test. However, the Government is yet to publish any details of its plans.
We will, of course, have more on this story as it develops.
10:27 AM
Heathrow clamps down on 'unnecessary' airport visitors
Heathrow Airport has reminded the public that 'only passengers undertaking essential travel may enter' its terminal buildings.
That includes those who are travelling for essential reasons under the current lockdown legislation – as well as those offering care or assistance to travellers.
At this time only passengers undertaking essential travel may enter the terminal unless absolutely necessary, such as if you are helping somebody who requires assistance before the care team has greeted them.
For answers to our lastest FAQs visit https://t.co/cCOklCeG0p pic.twitter.com/siIfHytAe9— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) January 7, 2021
Face coverings are also mandatory in terminal buildings, for all people over the age of 11.
10:18 AM
Flight prices 'can only go up'
If you're thinking of booking a trip for later this year, take advantage of low flight prices while you still can, warns a spokesperson from travel agency Travelup:
Airlines are trying to stimulate the market so there are some phenomenally low rates [right now]. As confidence returns the total number of airline seats will remain the same, so the cost will rise.
My strong advice is to book now, especially if you have a particular dream holiday or trip in mind. The prices can only go up.
Once we are out of lockdown, the vaccine programme is rolled out more widely, and more travel corridors are opened up with testing, capacity is going to disappear pretty quickly.
There is no point waiting to book nearer to departure time nowadays. Years ago there were low cost carriers, charters and scheduled airlines – and they were using different price matrixes. The low cost carriers would start off cheap and then get more expensive as you got closer to the departure date. The other airlines would reduce their prices to fill the empty seats. Now they all use the same model: they get more expensive.
They all work on the basis that it’s the people who really need to travel who are booking so close to departure. So there is no point waiting any more.
10:00 AM
Norwegian Air 'fighting for survival'
The boss of Norwegian Air has said the airline is 'fighting for survival' amid the coronavirus travel ban – with traffic down 94 per cent year-on-year.
CEO Jacob Schram said that just 130,000 passengers travelled on the airline in December 2020 – just 6 per cent of the passenger numbers in December 2019.
Norwegian’s December traffic figures impacted by COVID-19. «2020 has been a tough year, but we will continue to fight and come out of this crisis as a stronger Norwegian. Our goal is to be a financially strong airline with an improved customer offering,” said CEO Jacob Schram. pic.twitter.com/crVzhpxyd9
— Norwegian (@Fly_Norwegian) January 7, 2021
"The pandemic continues to have a negative impact on our business as it has had since March 2020," said Schram.
"At the beginning of last year, Norwegian was headed for a positive result in 2020; instead 2020, has been a very challenging year and we now find ourselves fighting for survival."
09:51 AM
Officers to be more 'inquisitive' as police step up lockdown enforcement
The Metropolitan Police has said that officers will now be more "inquisitive" of people's behaviour and be quicker to act to engage rulebreakers.
Police forces around the country would take similar approaches, Scotland Yard said.
Over the past few weeks, officers have already turned long-distance day trippers away from beauty spots around the UK – including Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) said that police resources were not "limitless" and officers continued to prioritise their work, adding that it was "really, really important" that people followed the Government guidance.
09:49 AM
Canada to drop flight ban from UK
Canada will end its ban on flights from the UK on Wednesday, Transport Minister Marc Garneau has announced.
"The ban on UK flights, which was going until midnight tonight will lapse. It will no longer be applicable," Garneau told a press conference.
The country prohibited flights from the UK on December 20, amid concerns over the new variant of Covid-19.
In place of the ban, Canada has announced that all incoming travellers will be required to test negative for coronavirus within 72 hours of boarding a flight before being allowed into the country.
Travellers will still be required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival.
09:48 AM
Travel agents: If you don't book now, you may struggle to get the holiday you want
Book your holiday now or face potential disappointment, is the message from the travel industry. A spokesperson from Kuoni told Telegraph Travel:
Demand is going to flood back as soon as we’re through this latest set of restrictions, so you could find that if you leave it when it comes to booking everyone’s got the same idea and prices go up and you’re struggling to find what you want.
Many people will have gone for a year or more without an overseas holiday, so there’ll be a lot of hope pinned on summer 2021.
January has always been a popular time to book as there are so many good savings, but this year it’s advisable to book sooner rather than later to guarantee you’ll get away to the spot you want.
09:48 AM
Yesterday's headlines
Before we begin, here's a quick recap of Wednesday's news:
Passengers to be banned from boarding flights to UK without negative Covid test
Cruise sector in need of 'urgent' guidance from government
Social media is full of celebrities on holiday in Dubai – are they above the law?
Stansted to close terminal overnight after flight cancellations
'Vaccine passport' could become a requirement, says Fauci
Now, on with today's stories.
Watch: NHS staff describe being on the Covid-19 front line
