According to English Prime Minister Boris Johnson, England is lifting many of the COVID-19 requirements to enter the country. The moves are a step in the right direction for the country’s tourism industry. While governments worldwide scramble to find new ways to manage the pandemic and the impact on the travel and tourism industries, England is taking steps to ensure it will move forward ahead of others.
England COVID Requirements lifted
Effective 4 p.m. on Friday, Johnson confirmed that England would scrap pre-departure travel Covid-19 tests to enter England from overseas. The prime minister also lifted the requirement to self-isolate on arrival in England until receiving a negative PCR test result.
Instead, people can take a lateral flow test on day two. If it is positive, the traveler will need a further PCR test to identify any new variants, plus isolation. This relaxation of the regulations will most certainly positively impact the travel industry’s heaviest booking season.
Response from the travel agencies
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, commented; “The relaxation of travel restrictions is of course a positive for the travel industry. Scrapping the pre-departure test and replacing subsequent PCR day two test and therefore self-isolation on arrival back into the UK with a cheaper and effective lateral flow test will help to boost confidence at what is traditionally the busiest booking period of the year.”
She went on to give updates on the members of her organization and how it will impact them. “Our members are currently trading on average at about 50 percent of 2019 levels and are beginning to see that pent-up demand come through following 20 months of the toughest of trading conditions.”
She added a little bit of hope for the future of travel into England. “Travel will remain ever-complex this year, but if the consumer can rely on less confusing government intervention, a continuation of a more flexible approach from travel suppliers, and the expertise of a human travel agent to help guide them through the booking process from take-off to landing, I am hopeful we will see the industry start to finally bounce back.”
