Government sets out traffic light system for travel

The government 's plan for the resumption of international travel - which includes the introduction of a traffic light system - poses more questions than answers, business leaders said today.

A report produced by the government 's Global Travel Taskforce offers guidance on how travel could resume from 17 May.

It says passengers would no longer need to prove they have a valid reason to leave the country.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has also provided more details on the traffic light system, which categorises countries based on risk and is designed to protect the public from international Covid-19 variants.

The system will work as follows:

• Green: Passengers will not need to quarantine on return, but must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on return to the UK
• Amber: Travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test and two PCR tests
• Red: Passengers will have to pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce said that while the update from the Taskforce provided a hint of reassurance, businesses and travellers will have little time to prepare for trips.

The Chamber also reiterated its call for the government to provide the necessary financial support for the aviation industry.

Head of policy Raj Kandola said: “The Transport Secretary has offered the country a hint of reassurance that we can start planning overseas trips as Covid-19 restrictions begin to ease but today 's announcement leaves us with more questions than answers.

“Although we understand it 's a ever-changing landscape when it comes to emerging variants, it still doesn 't help that we wont find until early May which countries are part of the designated categories - meaning businesses and travellers have even less time to effectively prepare for their trips.

“The hardships that people up and down the country are facing right now are there for all to see - making travellers take a costly PCR as part of the travel process will simply add to their woes and in many cases, probably put people off from planning trips.

“We would urge the Government to explore the possibility of whether lateral flow tests can be used as an alternative - not only will this ease the financial burden that passengers are likely to face it will also help bolster demand across the wider travel sector.

“The aviation industry and its supply chains have been shaken to the core by the pandemic and, beyond the latest announcements, it 's essential that the Government does the right thing and offers the financial support that anchor institutions such as Birmingham Airport so desperately need in order to see out this pandemic and plan for a brighter future. ”