That was among the key messages from travel leaders across the travel agent, business travel, airport and aviation sectors following the announcement on Tuesday (9 February) of the government’s full hotel quarantine policy and three-test entry regime.

From Monday (15 February), those travelling to England from the 33 countries on the government’s "red list" – which includes much of South America and southern Africa, as well as Portugal and the UAE – will have to complete 10 days’ quarantine in government-appointed hotel accommodation at a cost to each individual traveller of £1,750.

They will also have to test negative for Covid up to 72 hours prior to departure, and agree to tests on the second and eighth day of their quarantine.

Those returning from non-red list destinations will also have to test negative prior to departure, and then take second and eighth day tests during their 10-day self-isolation at home. They can still use the government’s test to release scheme to cut their self-isolation to five days, but will be nonetheless be required to take a test on what would have been the eighth day of their quarantine.

Travel industry proposals to support the sector’s reemergence include better, more reliable and affordable testing, additional sector-specific support, a two-week review clause to allow the measures to be rolled back promptly when appropriate, and a guarantee from government the restoration of international travel will form part of the roadmap out of lockdown it intends to detail on 22 February.

‘Travel with confidence’

Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said travel understood the need for tougher border restrictions at this time.

"With the successful vaccine roll-out and a reduction in Covid-19 cases, in isolation, the positive message we can take from this announcement is that the UK government is at last taking testing very seriously and we strongly urge the government to create a clear testing policy for when travel can resume.

"We would encourage them to investigate all the available options around higher quality, reliable and affordable pricing so that travellers in the future can book and travel with confidence, making travel accessible for all and not penalising, but recognising the importance of supporting the sectors recovery once the time is right.
 
"As an island nation, we now need the government to work with the industry on a risk-based approach and to start working on a recovery plan that will enable the travel industry to support the governments ambitions to rebuild the economy."

‘Battling to survive’

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, and Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said the new arrangements added "a further barrier to viable air travel" and would "deepen the worsening outlook" for the sector in 2021.

"A two-week review clause is essential to ensure that the current complex, blanket set of measures are rolled back as soon as it is safe to do so. International travel must also be part of the prime minister’s forthcoming roadmap out of lockdown, including transparent and risk-based health criteria for the lifting of travel restrictions.

"In the meantime, airports and airlines are battling to survive with almost zero revenue and a huge cost base, and practically every week a further blow lands. Aviation-specific financial support is urgently needed to ensure our sector can get through the year.

"UK aviation can be the conduit to the government’s Global Britain and levelling-up agendas, but only if we have viable and competitive sector still standing come the end of the pandemic." 

‘Mortal damage’

Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, said the new measures would "bring business travel to a standstill" and "prevent thousands from doing their jobs".

"The health secretary recognised the work of ports across England, but has singularly failed to see the impact of these decisions on their supply chain. The government’s latest decisions are inflicting mortal damage on livelihoods across the country.

"It is critical that the government finally looks to the future. It must offer targeted support to our industry and lead the way in agreeing international standards of entry. We risk being cut-off from the world if we do not start mapping out the route to safe travel from this latest lowest point."