Under the proposals, travellers will be able to pay for a private test after five days in quarantine
(Picture: PA)The boss of Heathrow today welcomed the reduction in the quarantine period for travellers returning to Britain from a fortnight to five days as “a start” but not enough in itself to get back to “business as usual”.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, John Holland-Kaye said the new regime — due to come into effect on December 15 — would be “better than we have at the moment” but was “not the end solution”.
Under the proposals unveiled by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps yesterday, travellers will be able to pay for a private test after five days in quarantine and return to normal life with a negative result.
Mr Holland-Kaye added: “At the moment these private tests are quite expensive but we are seeing costs coming down quickly and if we can use the lateral flow tests, then of course they are very quick and very cheap. If they are part of the solution then that could be something anybody could use to get close to business as usual.”
Richard Burge, chief executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Whilst it is welcome that the travel quarantine policy is evolving and will boost the aviation sector through an upturn in holidays, it’s unlikely to boost inbound visits and business travel.
“To really recover the capital’s economy we need the policy to evolve further to ensure either pre-departure testing or on-arrival.”
Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, said: “The prospect of having to self-isolate for any length of time will continue to significantly impede demand.”
The chief executive of Qantas today said it would be a “necessity” for all future international air travellers to prove they have been vaccinated in order to board flights.
Alan Joyce said in an interview: “I think that’s going to be a common thing, talking to my colleagues in other airlines around the globe.”
