As the red list and quarantine rules change again an airline boss has been left "confused and frustrated".
From today, Wednesday, December 15, eleven countries have been removed from the UK's red list meaning that travellers arriving from those destinations will no longer have to stay in a quarantine hotel on arrival into England.
In a statement by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, which said that the reintroduction of countries to the travel red list were "temporary and precautionary international travel measures" introduced to slow the spread of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, he added that: "As Omicron cases rise in the UK and in countries around the world, the travel red list is less effective in slowing the incursion of the variant from abroad and these temporary measures are no longer proportionate."
But scrapping the red list has prompted an airline boss to speak out.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2holidays , said: “Although the removal of 11 countries from the Red List is positive news, the fact that disproportionate and excessive travel restrictions remain in place for the Christmas holidays is very disappointing. Yet again, international travel is having to play to a completely different rule book when compared to other areas of everyday life."
Countries previously on the red list included Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Steve added: "As an airline and tour operator, we recognise how important safety is and we make it our number one priority at all times. However, we fail to see how the current travel testing regime adds anything other than hassle, cost and disruption to hardworking customers and families who just want to get away for a well-deserved holiday over the Christmas holiday season.
"Like our customers, we are confused and frustrated that travel restrictions [are deemed] as “less effective in slowing Omicron from abroad”, whilst at the same time the UK Government continues to impose such harsh travel restrictions. The Government seems to be telling us on one hand that travel restrictions are less effective, whilst on the other insisting that travel restrictions stay in place.
"We look forward to an update from the UK Government as soon as possible. We know that customers will be watching very closely and expecting positive news too, at a time of year when they look forward to nothing more than booking their all-important holidays."
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