The UK government's recent alterations to its traffic-light system have sparked significant criticism from the travel and tourism sector. Effective from 3 a.m. GMT on Monday, July 19, the new rules have only two destinations, Bulgaria and Hong Kong, added to the green list, which allows travelers to enter the UK without quarantine.
Despite being included in the green list, UK travelers are still barred from entering Hong Kong due to concerns over the Delta variant. Additionally, the popular Balearic Islands—comprising Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca—are being reclassified to the amber list, necessitating a 10-day self-isolation period upon return. Four other nations, including Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sierra Leone, have been elevated to the red list, imposing stricter travel restrictions.
Virginia Messina, managing director of the World Travel and Tourism Council, expressed that the constant changes are deterring people from booking trips. \"The challenge we have is all these changing rules, because that is what is really undermining consumer confidence. We are really at a peak season when it comes to travel, particularly in regions like Europe and the UK, so the next six weeks are really significant,\" Messina stated.
With UK COVID-19 cases rising sharply—over 42,000 cases recorded on Wednesday, the highest since mid-January, and projections of up to 100,000 cases per day later in the summer—the travel industry's uncertainty is mounting. In response to these concerns, the UK government announced that from July 19, travelers returning from amber-list countries who are double-vaccinated or under 18 will no longer need to self-isolate, offering some relief for summer vacation plans.
However, Messina emphasized the need for \"more flexibility\" for vaccinated travelers. \"We know that the vaccines work and are efficient and are really helping us in terms of reducing hospitalizations and deaths. We should really be accounting for that and balancing the health risks with the economic recovery,\" she added.
The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the travel and tourism industry, with the World Travel and Tourism Council reporting a loss of 62 million jobs last year, and many more still at risk. \"Many businesses, whether big or small, are in a fight for survival,\" Messina warned.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
