Booking trips abroad this year in the hope holidays can go ahead could be a mistake, according to experts.
Top government scientists and travel experts have weighed in on the issue.
Dr Mike Tildesley, a member of the UK Government scientific advice group (SAGE) Spi-M, that summer holidays overseas are “extremely unlikely” because of the risk of travellers bringing coronavirus variants back to the UK.
Dr Tildesley said there was a danger that new variants could jeopardise the vaccination programme later in the year.
See all the latest Covid updates in our live blog here
Other experts have warned there could be a third wave of Covid-19 infections in the UK and advised people not to consider overseas holidays when restrictions ease later this year.
Infectious disease expert Dr Tildesley told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think that international travel this summer is, for the average holidaymaker, sadly I think, extremely unlikely.
“I think we are running a real risk if we do start to have lots of people going overseas in July and August because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country.
“What is really dangerous is if we jeopardise our vaccination campaign by having these variants where the vaccines don’t work as effectively spreading more rapidly.”
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “The Government has made it clear it will make decisions on reopening travel based on the health situation abroad, meaning travel will continue to be restricted and rules will change in line with scientific guidance.
“There remains a financial risk to booking travel currently. That’s why it’s vital that plans to restart international travel take on board consumer concerns and make safety, affordable tests and vaccine passports and reassurance about refunds when travel is disrupted a top priority.
“So far as possible, it’s important that rules and requirements remain consistent, as changing them will leave travellers footing the bill again and further risk undermining consumers’ confidence in booking travel.”
