There is further good news, with HMRC extending its deadline for tax return submissions.

However, new figures show retail trade took a dive over the Christmas shopping period due to Covid.

Elsewhere, there was widespread coverage of the first episode of the new series of The Apprentice, which was shot onboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady.

Here are the key headlines affecting travel on Friday 7 January.

Pre-departure tests scrapped

Pre-departure testing for travellers entering the UK has been scrapped. The changes, which came into effect at 4am on Friday, also mean new arrivals will no longer have to isolate until they get a negative PCR test. Instead, they will have to take a lateral flow test at the end of their second day in the UK. (Sky News)

Holiday bookings soar as tests scrapped

Airlines and holiday companies have reported a big leap in sales since changes to test rules. Virgin Atlantic said searches were up 150% week on week, peaking at 8pm on Wednesday, a few hours after Boris Johnson addressed the Commons. British Airways said visits to its 2022 holidays website increased by nearly 40%, with New York, Dubai and Barbados the most searched. (Evening Standard)

HMRC extends tax return deadline

HM Revenue & Customs has waived late filing and payment penalties for self-assessment taxpayers by an additional month to support those struggling with pandemic pressures. Of the 12.2 million taxpayers who need to submit their tax return by January 31, just 6.5 million have done so. (Financial Times)

Christmas retail uplift fails to materialise

Hopes for a Christmas with high streets near pre-pandemic levels of trade were dashed last month as Covid fears discouraged shoppers. High streets marked a footfall decline of 23.1% last month, compared to 2019.  This was 3.5 percentage points below November’s rate, according to BDO’s high street sales tracker. (City AM)

Former Virgin Holidays’ employee leads The Apprentice cruise challenge

Teams in the first episode of The Apprentice were tasked with creating a brand and ad campaign for a new cruise line. Filming took place on a Virgin Cruises ship, with an all-female team led by Kathryn Louise Burn, an ex-Virgin Holidays staff member. (The Mirror)

QM2 in Covid outbreak

British holidaymakers who booked a luxury Caribbean New Year cruise on the Queen Mary 2 have spent the trip isolating in cabins after a Covid outbreak on board. Passengers paid up to £5,000 a head for the cruise from Southampton sailing on 13 December to New York and the Caribbean before returning this weekend. (The Daily Mail)