Air bridges allowing quarantine-free travel in place by June 29, say top travel bosses
BRITS may be able to avoid quarantining on holiday after all, as plans for air bridges are expected to be in place by the end of the month.
The scheme will allow quarantine-free travel between two countries if a bilateral agreement is made.
Currently, the UK is enforcing a mandatory two-week quarantine on anyone entering the country, while other destinations such as Spain and Greece have issued similar measures.
However, travel bosses have been told by the government that the air bridges will replace quarantine by June 29, according to the Telegraph.
Bridges could be from low-risk countries including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Australia.
The Quash Quarantine group, which includes 500 travel and tour operators, previously warned the government of the devastating effect quarantine would have on the tourist industry.
If the air bridge scheme is introduced, the group has said it will pause the legal action being taken against the government.
Spokesman Paul Charles said: "There’s a desire by the group to take action and we are not ruling it out in the future but we have had these assurances from senior Government sources that travel corridors will be in place from June 29."
He added that they are waiting for "government direction" before taking the next steps.
The group isn't the only one taking action against the government - airlines including Ryanair, easyJet and IAG are also attempting to stop the quarantine.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said: "I think the courts will hear it quickly because it is an injunctive-type measure. We don’t see how the Home Office will be able to put up any defence whatsoever.
"There is no way that they can argue in court that this is an effective quarantine or that this has any scientific basis at all."
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It follows hopes of the Foreign Office advice against non-essential travel being lifted, with suggestions that low-risk countries may no longer be on the travel ban list.
Brits could even be given Covid-19 “immunity passports” to jet off around the world quarantine free, the Home Secretary revealed.
Priti Patel confirmed the certificate was one of a number of policies being explored to end the 14-day quarantine.