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Today’s decision to end the need for fully vaccinated travelers to show evidence of a pre-departure negative flow test within 48 hours of their return to England is a vital boost for tourists. and the travel industry.
The rule was part of a series of measures introduced a month ago to try to curb the spread of the Omicron variant. They have had a very negative effect on travelers. Bookings fell immediately in response: Manchester Airport, for example, saw a 30% drop in traffic in December.
And no wonder. The need to make sure you have booked the right tests at the right time, combined with the risk of not getting a swab before leaving and not being able to return home, has added a lot of stress to the which should be a pleasurable experience. A reader told me today that I didn’t feel like I could really relax and properly enjoy my recent vacation until the last two days, when the test passed and I knew I could go home as planned.
Getting the government to announce that a 2-day side flow can be done again instead of a PCR test within 48 hours of returning home is also a big help for travelers. Not only are sideflow tests 50 to 60 pounds cheaper than PCRs, but you get the results right away and don’t get stuck in self-isolation while you wait for the test to be done. Depending on exactly when you took the PCR test on day 2, how long it took to get to the lab, and how quickly you recovered, it meant that you could stay home for four days or more after returning. on vacation.
The timing of the move gives a particular boost, not just to those looking forward to traveling in the coming weeks, but to anyone making plans for a family vacation this summer. January is traditionally the peak time to book outings in July and August, and although it was considered virtually certain that the government would withdraw what were called temporary measures well before spring, the fact that it has already fact can only help with confidence levels. After what have been four or five sad weeks, it now looks like we can start planning with a little more optimism.
Of course, this does not mean that travelers will not continue to face significant uncertainties. While it is reassuring that the government has shown that it will lift redundant restrictions relatively quickly, what the appearance of the omicron showed is that it is willing to impose new ones with extremely short notice. It is not a consolation to those caught up in the sudden resurgence of the red list on November 28, the reintroduction of the mandatory hotel quarantine and the ban on flights from South Africa, that the government has only ruled out these same rules. 18 days later.
Meanwhile, of course, the Westminster government cannot do anything about the policies of other countries. The ski season is currently being decimated by France’s decision to exclude holidaymakers from the UK and vaccination rules for families visiting Austria. And Switzerland requires proof of a negative test done less than 24 hours before boarding a flight and entering the country. Only when barriers and stress points like these are removed will you begin to feel our holiday sun come out again.
