‘Too early’ to book summer holiday abroad, says foreign secretary
It’s ‘very difficult to plan’ for international trips, says Dominic Raab
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The foreign secretary has said it is “too early” for Britons to book a summer holiday abroad.
Speaking on LBC Radio, Dominic Raab said it was “very difficult to plan” for international travel amid mounting restrictions.
“I think at the moment it’s too early,” he said of booking a summer vacation. “I think you have to follow the guidance that we’re putting out.
“The rules now are very clear that people shouldn’t be travelling domestically, or certainly internationally, unless there are very exceptional reasons.
“I’m afraid until we’re in a position to give the reassurance, I think it’s very difficult to plan.”
It comes after the government announced a tightening of the rules around travel, with all incoming travellers now required to present a negative Covid-19 test.
Airlines, ferry firms and rail operators will be required to ensure that travellers meet the requirement. They face a £2,000 fine for each passenger they let through without correct certification.
Anyone who gets through to the UK border without a test faces a fine of £500 (£480 in Scotland).
The travel corridors scheme – which enabled those entering the UK from countries with low coronavirus rates to forgo mandatory quarantine – has also been scrapped.
All arrivals will have to self-isolate for 10 days, although in England travellers can opt to pay to take a test after five days and leave quarantine early if the result is negative.
In a separate interview with Sky News, Mr Raab reiterated that people should not be travelling for any non-essential purposes at the moment.
“I think right now people should be staying at home unless it is absolutely necessary, so they shouldn’t be going on holiday. I don’t think that is appropriate,” he said.
“Any travel, domestic or otherwise, ought to be for the limited exceptions that have been spelt out.
“We’ve got this narrow period where the NHS is on the cusp, we’ve got to protect it and we’ve got the light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine rollout.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments