France and Spain holidays saved but travel firms urge government to open borders August 5, 2021 Fresh changes to the UK’s travel traffic light system to ensure holidays in France and Spain can happen this summer for vaccinated Brits, but many airlines and tourism companies are demanding faster progress. From 4am on Sunday arrivals from France, if fully vaccinated against Covid-19, will no longer need to self-isolate at home for 10 [...]
Brexit and Covid impact: More than 90,000 EU workers to have left UK hospitality jobs August 5, 2021 More than 90,000 EU workers left the UK’s hospitality sector in the last year, new figures have revealed. Fresh research from jobs site Caterer.com found that three out of five hospitality employers are now receiving record numbers of applications from UK workers. London was identified as acutely affected by the exodus with the research estimating [...]
UK’s travel green list grows as Germany, Austria, Norway added to safe destinations group August 4, 2021 Seven new countries have this evening been added to the government’s “green list” for international travel, offering further hope for Brits looking to escape for the summer. From Sunday at 4am, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway will be added to the list of destinations from which all travellers need not isolate on [...]
Private Covid travel tests: Overpriced, unavailable and unaccredited? August 4, 2021 Private Covid PCR test providers will come under investigation from the UK’s advertising watchdog and the government for their hugely variable pricing, while only a fraction can claim to be fully accredited. Government health officials are to carry out an audit of the 420 listed PCR test providers on the gov.uk website and plan to [...]
Confirmed: 16 and 17 year olds will now be invited for Covid vaccine August 4, 2021 Teenagers aged 16 and 17 across the UK will be given the green light to get vaccinated against coronavirus very shortly. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has approved the move and the UK and devolved nations’ health administrations will begin the rollout shortly. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, said [...]
Away and Aria Resorts to forge £600m staycation giant amid domestic travel boom August 4, 2021 Holiday park heavyweight Away Resorts has agreed to merge with UK rival Aria Resorts to forge a £600m staycation powerhouse, as pandemic restrictions continue to scupper foreign travel. A staycation boom has been looming ever since domestic restrictions lifted in the UK, however, chatter of amber and amber plus lists have put off many from [...]
Which countries could be added to the travel ‘green list’ this week? August 4, 2021 Holidaymakers are waiting with bated breath to see which – if any – countries will be added to the UK’s travel “green list” at Thursday’s travel traffic light review. At the moment, there are just 29 countries and dependencies on the “green list”, with few popular tourist destinations included. There were fears this week too [...]
Barbie doll created of Oxford Covid vaccine designer Dame Sarah Gilbert August 4, 2021 Barbie maker Mattel has created a doll in honour of Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, the scientist who designed the Oxford-Astrazeneca Covid vaccine. After a standing ovation at Wimbledon and being made a dame, Gilbert now has the Barbie doll to recognise her efforts in creating a life-saving jab. The vaccinologist said she initially found the [...]
China’s Wuhan to test all 12m residents after just three Delta cases found August 3, 2021 China’s Wuhan is set to test all 12m residents after just three Delta variant cases were spotted in the city, but fears of it spreading grow. The country’s levels of the Delta variant are still relatively low in comparison to the UK, with total cases standing at just 414 for the entire country. The Delta [...]
Shapps ‘under fire for amber watch list plan’ August 3, 2021 Grant Shapps is under fire today after reports that it was the transport secretary who first came up with the government’s now-axed “amber watch list” travel plan. Under the “amber watch list” category, countries on the “amber list” could be designated as being at risk of moving to the “red list” at short notice. Holidaymakers [...]