Tough new quarantine rules in Switzerland could affect the start of the ski season, while families heading to Spain for some winter sun will also face new restrictions.
Other destinations, such as Hong Kong, continue to impose new restrictions, while Virgin Atlantic’s bid to raise more cash may be impacted by the rise of the new variant.
Here are the key headlines travel woke up to on Tuesday (30 November)
Tighter travel rules come into effect in UK
All travellers arriving in the UK will now have to take a PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result, as new rules came into effect at 4am on Tuesday (30 November). The change in rules comes after 11 cases of the new Omicron variant were detected in the UK. (BBC News)
Thousands face ski holiday ‘misery’ over Swiss travel restrictions
Tens of thousands of Britons are set to have their ski holidays disrupted by strict new quarantine rules being introduced by Switzerland. UK travellers will have to self-isolate for 10 days when arriving in Switzerland, even if they are not planning to stay in the country. (The Times)
Spain announces children aged 12 and over must have both Covid vaccinations
Children aged 12 to 15 are set to be banned from entering Spain from Wednesday (1 December), as part of new travel restrictions. All travellers aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to enter Spain from this date. This age group has so far only been given one Covid jab in the UK, although they will now be offered a second dose. (The i)
Hong Kong tightens travel restrictions to prevent Omicron spread
Hong Kong is further tightening the city’s international travel restrictions by banning non-resident arrivals from 13 more countries where cases of the Omicron variant have been detected, including Australia, Canada and Germany. (Financial Times)
Virgin Atlantic cash lifeline hit by new variant
Efforts by Virgin Atlantic to raise £400 million in extra funding have been thrown “into doubt” by new travel restrictions being introduced because of the Omicron variant. The airline has been in talks with shareholders and lenders over securing a cash “lifeline” to see it through the winter. (The Telegraph)
Boosters for every adult to fight Omicron
Everybody aged 18 and over in the UK is to be given a booster Covid jab, as the government ramp ups the roll-out of the third jab to combat the spread of the Omicron variant. The gap between receiving the second jab and booster dose has now been halved to just three months. (Metro)