Holiday 'police' knocking on your door: Priti Patel reveals plans for up to 10,000 quarantine checks EVERY day to make sure returning Britons are self-isolating - as five million book summer trips to Europe
Home Secretary Priti Patel said enforcement was being stepped up to make sure travellers who visit amber-list countries such as France, Spain and Italy obey the ten-day quarantine rule. Officials have the capacity to carry out 10,000 home visits a day and 30,000 were conducted last week. Anyone found to be out when supposedly self-isolating risks a fine of up to £10,000 - although few have been levied so far. The warning came despite growing optimism of an end to Covid curbs next month and after days of confusion over amber-list countries. Boris Johnson told MPs yesterday that visits to these medium-risk destinations were acceptable only in 'extreme circumstances'.
Up to 270,000 Britons will fly to amber list countries before Sunday as 7 out 10 airlines sell flights - despite Boris Johnson insisting we should ONLY travel to medium risk countries in 'extreme circumstances'
The Prime Minister has insisted families should visit medium-risk destinations only in 'extreme circumstances' and not for holidays, but has also said such trips should be for 'pressing' family or business reasons only. Analysis has now revealed around 1,300 flights have been scheduled, carrying up to 54,000 passengers a day to destinations including Spain, Greece, France and Italy, reports say. On Monday the outright ban on foreign travel was replaced by a green, amber and red traffic light system grading different countries by their Covid risk level. But around five million Britons have booked amber list breaks this summer, leaving them in limbo over whether to cancel or re-book and hope their destination makes the green list. Contradictory messages have left holidaymakers and travel chiefs begging for clarity, and confusion reigned earlier this week when two Cabinet ministers suggested leisure breaks and visits to family and friends would be acceptable. Adding to the chaos health minister Lord Bethell claimed all holidays abroad were 'dangerous'. Seven of the 10 largest British tour operators are making the most of the confusion over travel guidance and are flying holidaymakers to areas deemed safe for non-essential travel despite being on the 'amber list'. The seven companies flying to amber destinations between now and the start of June are TUI, BA, Easyjet, Expedia, Lastminute.com, Virgin and Travel Republic, according to consumer group Which?
TIM ALDERSLADE: These holiday rules are alarming, confusing, and illogical. Sort it out, ministers!
TIM ALDERSLADE: 'Just as our beleaguered travel and tourism companies started to look ahead with hope, illogical, confusing and alarming messaging from Ministers risks the whole system unravelling.'
They can’t justify the taking of shots if they don’t allow those who have had shots to travel. So it should now be quite clear, it’s not about a virus.
The Times focuses on the government's advice to travellers, after minister George Eustice said that Britons should "holiday at home" because of the spread of coronavirus variants. The paper says the government is being accused of a U-turn on foreign travel and causing confusion. It also quotes an Algarve tourism official who says that of the more than 100,000 Covid tests carried out at Faro airport as British holidaymakers headed home, six were positive.
The i newspaper focuses on the coronavirus traffic light system for travel abroad, saying that ministers are considering a new "amber watchlist" category of countries which are at risk of being switched at short notice to the red list, requiring 10 days' quarantine. The paper says it would mean replacing the so-called "amber-plus" category, which was used this month to place tougher restrictions on France.
"Travel rules descend into French farce" says the Times, as it reports on the impact of France's amber-plus designation - which means even fully vaccinated travellers to the UK must quarantine. The paper says France has called the rule discriminatory and scientifically unfounded, while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it had been imposed because of cases of the more vaccine-resistant Beta variant in Reunion - a French territory 6,000 miles away.
European travel war erupts: Chaos for holidaymakers as ministers squabble over why France was hit with 'amber plus' quarantine rules, Italy refuses to exempt Brits from self-isolation and Spain risks being hit with tougher restrictions
Fears were raised of a European 'travel war' today amid a bitter row over the UK's restrictions on France - and Italy refusing to exempt Brits from quarantine. Dominic Raab sparked a furious backlash after claiming that France was hit with 'amber plus' quarantine rules because of Covid cases on Reunion island 6,000 miles away. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (left) insisted this morning that the Foreign Secretary was wrong to make the connection yesterday, amid a furious reaction from Paris. Meanwhile, Spain is believed to be at risk of being moved up the 'traffic light' system in a review next week. And as tensions rise, Italy is reportedly not reciprocating the get-out granted by Britain, meaning vaccinated holidaymakers will still need to isolate on arrival. There are claims that EU leaders are resisting easing rules for Britons partly out of 'frustration' with the standoff over Brexit.
Summer holidays in Europe are at risk as ministers threaten to put Spain, France and Italy on a new danger list - and plans for the 'amber watch list' sparks uproar in Whitehall
Plans for an 'amber watch list' have sparked uproar in Whitehall, with some ministers warning the scheme could wreck the hopes of millions of Britons. The idea, which was agreed in principle this week, would see holidaymakers warned that while they are abroad certain amber countries could go straight on to the red list. This would leave them facing compulsory hotel quarantine on their return, at a cost of £1,750 a head. Spain (top right) and Italy (left) both featured in talks about countries that could be put into the new category - as soon as next week - amid fears about the Beta variant, which first emerged in South Africa.
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Home Secretary Priti Patel said enforcement was being stepped up to make sure travellers who visit amber-list countries such as France, Spain and Italy obey the ten-day quarantine rule. Officials have the capacity to carry out 10,000 home visits a day and 30,000 were conducted last week. Anyone found to be out when supposedly self-isolating risks a fine of up to £10,000 - although few have been levied so far. The warning came despite growing optimism of an end to Covid curbs next month and after days of confusion over amber-list countries. Boris Johnson told MPs yesterday that visits to these medium-risk destinations were acceptable only in 'extreme circumstances'.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9597685/Priti-Patel-reveals-plans-10-000-quarantine-checks-day.html
The Prime Minister has insisted families should visit medium-risk destinations only in 'extreme circumstances' and not for holidays, but has also said such trips should be for 'pressing' family or business reasons only. Analysis has now revealed around 1,300 flights have been scheduled, carrying up to 54,000 passengers a day to destinations including Spain, Greece, France and Italy, reports say. On Monday the outright ban on foreign travel was replaced by a green, amber and red traffic light system grading different countries by their Covid risk level. But around five million Britons have booked amber list breaks this summer, leaving them in limbo over whether to cancel or re-book and hope their destination makes the green list. Contradictory messages have left holidaymakers and travel chiefs begging for clarity, and confusion reigned earlier this week when two Cabinet ministers suggested leisure breaks and visits to family and friends would be acceptable. Adding to the chaos health minister Lord Bethell claimed all holidays abroad were 'dangerous'. Seven of the 10 largest British tour operators are making the most of the confusion over travel guidance and are flying holidaymakers to areas deemed safe for non-essential travel despite being on the 'amber list'. The seven companies flying to amber destinations between now and the start of June are TUI, BA, Easyjet, Expedia, Lastminute.com, Virgin and Travel Republic, according to consumer group Which?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9597983/Airlines-fury-Boris-Johnsons-amber-list-debacle.html
TIM ALDERSLADE: 'Just as our beleaguered travel and tourism companies started to look ahead with hope, illogical, confusing and alarming messaging from Ministers risks the whole system unravelling.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-9597655/Tim-Alderslade-Airlines-UK-calls-government-ministers-sort-confusing-holiday-rules.html
So it should now be quite clear, it’s not about a virus.
The good news is we're off on holiday - the bad news is I've sold the house to pay for our Covid test kits'
The Times focuses on the government's advice to travellers, after minister George Eustice said that Britons should "holiday at home" because of the spread of coronavirus variants. The paper says the government is being accused of a U-turn on foreign travel and causing confusion. It also quotes an Algarve tourism official who says that of the more than 100,000 Covid tests carried out at Faro airport as British holidaymakers headed home, six were positive.
The i newspaper focuses on the coronavirus traffic light system for travel abroad, saying that ministers are considering a new "amber watchlist" category of countries which are at risk of being switched at short notice to the red list, requiring 10 days' quarantine. The paper says it would mean replacing the so-called "amber-plus" category, which was used this month to place tougher restrictions on France.
"Travel rules descend into French farce" says the Times, as it reports on the impact of France's amber-plus designation - which means even fully vaccinated travellers to the UK must quarantine. The paper says France has called the rule discriminatory and scientifically unfounded, while Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said it had been imposed because of cases of the more vaccine-resistant Beta variant in Reunion - a French territory 6,000 miles away.
https://video.dailymail.co.uk/preview/mol/2021/07/30/6842552907513377254/964x580_MP4_6842552907513377254.mp4
Fears were raised of a European 'travel war' today amid a bitter row over the UK's restrictions on France - and Italy refusing to exempt Brits from quarantine. Dominic Raab sparked a furious backlash after claiming that France was hit with 'amber plus' quarantine rules because of Covid cases on Reunion island 6,000 miles away. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps (left) insisted this morning that the Foreign Secretary was wrong to make the connection yesterday, amid a furious reaction from Paris. Meanwhile, Spain is believed to be at risk of being moved up the 'traffic light' system in a review next week. And as tensions rise, Italy is reportedly not reciprocating the get-out granted by Britain, meaning vaccinated holidaymakers will still need to isolate on arrival. There are claims that EU leaders are resisting easing rules for Britons partly out of 'frustration' with the standoff over Brexit.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9842945/Travel-rules-farce-France-quarantine-kept-Beta-variant.html
Plans for an 'amber watch list' have sparked uproar in Whitehall, with some ministers warning the scheme could wreck the hopes of millions of Britons. The idea, which was agreed in principle this week, would see holidaymakers warned that while they are abroad certain amber countries could go straight on to the red list. This would leave them facing compulsory hotel quarantine on their return, at a cost of £1,750 a head. Spain (top right) and Italy (left) both featured in talks about countries that could be put into the new category - as soon as next week - amid fears about the Beta variant, which first emerged in South Africa.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9845553/Summer-holidays-risk-ministers-threaten-Spain-France-Italy-new-danger-list.html