BRITS will soon be able to go on holidays abroad without the need to quarantine.
Ministers are to sign off on air bridges today (June 26), opening up travel opportunities to countries such as France, Spain and Italy.
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What are air bridges?
Also called “travel corridors”, air bridges would allow tourists between two countries to visit without needing to quarantine.
The UK has imposed a 14-day quarantine on those arriving in the country since June 8.
However, agreements between countries, particularly those with low cases of coronavirus, would allow the UK and that nation to waive the two-week period to allow tourists to travel without restrictions.
On June 25, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed air bridges will only be agreed with countries which have a coronavirus test and trace system at the same standard as the UK as well as a low rate of the virus.
The safe travel corridors will be set up after the quarantine review on June 29.
The government is currently debating so-called “air bridges” with countries experiencing low numbers of Covid-19 infections – which would mean travellers both ways would be exempt from quarantine.
It could see Brits travelling freely across Europe from July without having to quarantine on their return.
Which countries are considering air bridges?
Spain, France and Italy are set to be among the first to have air bridge agreements with the UK.
It is expected to be in place on June 29, joining a host of other nations including Germany, Bermuda, Gibraltar and Austria.
UK tourists could eventually visit Portugal too, as both countries have agreed to potentially allow access to the country for British families without quarantining.
Portugal’s foreign minister confirmed his country is talking to UK counterparts about air bridges so tourists can avoid being quarantined.
Augusto Santos Silva told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “quarantine is an enemy of tourism”.
He added: “Our diplomats will work together to guarantee that British tourists coming to Portugal would not be subjected on their return to England to any kind of quarantine.”
And these would only be in the first step with British Overseas Territories like Cayman Islands to form travel corridors in July, before the Caribbean, Canada and Dubai allow for holidays in August.
However, for those eyeing up a trip to the USA or Mexico, you could have to wait until December.
Most international arrivals into the UK are required to go into self-isolation for 14 days, and France also has a two-week quarantine currently in place for UK visitors – although this is unenforced.
Are air bridges already in place?
Travel between Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey is allowed without the need to quarantine as part of the Common Travel Area.
However, overnight stays are not currently allowed, so a holiday is off the cards.
With the islands borders remaining closed, this is likely to remain the case until further lockdown measures are eased.
Airlines are ready with flights when travel is allowed again, with easyJet and BA offering domestic routes next month.
