Britain might need extra precautions to protect against the spread of new variants Covid-19 Boris Johnson said today, though he did offer some hope to beleaguered travel firms.
On a visit to Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, where the company had just announced a huge investment programme, the PM said that people who have had two jabs might not have to quarantine when they return.
Any change in policy on travel would be revealed n the next few days, he said, adding that he was “very confident” that it would enable people to go on holiday this summer.
Airlines shares were among the strongest performers on the FTSE 100 on the back of the comments, which coincided with the introduction of the EU’s digital Covid certificate.
This provides proof of vaccination or of a negative Covid-19 test result and allows free movement across EU countries.
European countries, however, are still expecting visitor numbers to be substantially below normal levels due to the absence of UK holidaymakers though there were reports about negotiations on a deal with the UK to allow vaccinated travellers.
Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece are among the major summer destinations for British sunseekers, but all are on the UK’s amber list meaning on returning visitors have to self-isolate for ten days and take expensive PCR tests on days two and eight.
Restrictions for people visiting countries in Europe have also tightened recently due to the spread of the Delta variant throughout the UK.
Portugal, for example, now requires arrivals to prove they have had two jabs at least a fortnight earlier or else quarantine for 14 days.
Shares in easyJet (LON:EZJ), which has already shifted part of its fleet from the UK to Europe, rose to 2.7% to 918.8p, while Ryanair and British Airways owner IAG added 2% and 4% respectively.
British Airways has been calling for some movement between the UK and US, which generates a substantial chunk of its revenue through business travel.