Speaking during TTG’s Agenda 2021 conference, Merriman said it was vital government thinking was “joined up”, with the DfT seemingly encouraging travel by allowing people arriving from non-travel-corridor destinations to take a test to release themselves from quarantine early, while the FCDO currently maintains its blanket advice against travelling to many destinations.

“It’s no use, particularly from an insurance perspective, if you’ve got one arm of government saying, ‘fine, it’s now OK to go ahead [and travel] under this regime’ while another has advice telling you not to,” said Merriman.

“It’s important government is joined up, and I can assure you we’ll be pushing for this.” 

Pressed on whether there would be consensus before test to release launches, Merriman added: “I do think change is happening. And I can assure you I will do everything I can [to push for it].”

Reflecting on quarantine, Merriman stressed the issue was not of the DfT or the FCDO’s making.

“This was the Home Office. We went from a situation where, unlike other countries, we had no quarantine or restrictions on people coming into the country,” he said.

“And then, when our rates [of Covid infection] were getting better and everyone else was looking at more innovative solutions, we brought in this blanket quarantine. The Home Office promptly scarpered so it does seem [to have been] left with the DfT.”

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