Government clarity needed over summer travel

TSSA General Secretary, Manuel Cortes, has called on the Government to "provide much needed clarity" about overseas travel once lockdown restrictions are further lifted later this month, on 17 May – ahead of the summer season. 

The move comes after Boris Johnson suggested "some opening up" for summer travel was on the cards while also warning of "an influx of disease" if travel restrictions are lifted. 

A 'Green List' of quarantine-free countries is expected to be announced later this week by Ministers.  

Manuel Cortes said: 

"We have been waiting for months for the Government to set out a proper strategic plan to support our travel trade in this pandemic and heard nothing. 

"Ministers must now provide much needed clarity about what travel will be allowed later this month. After everything, they have been through millions of people around our country want to know whether they should be taking holidays abroad this summer – and how they can do so safely.  

"So far Ministerial mixed messaging has cost far too many jobs within our travel industry. The Tories have had a tin ear when it comes to travel, with workers and businesses suffering. They now need to provide both hope and clarity. 

"The only way to do that is to set out a foolproof set of instructions for the public about what will and won't be possible as we head towards summer. That should not be too much to ask for any competent government."