The change of tack comes after it was revealed some 300,000 people are believed to have broken quarantine rules. Elsewhere, health secretary Sajid Javid had called for the current day two PCR test requirement for travellers returning to the UK to be scrapped.
Here are the latest headlines concerning travel the nation woke up to on Monday 13 September.
UK ‘must learn to live with Covid’
Boris Johnson will scrap the traffic lights system and PCR tests for fully vaccinated travellers. The red list will also be significantly reduced as living with Covid becomes the new norm. Rules surrounding Covid will be ripped up when Johnson addresses the nation. (The Telegraph)
Winter Covid plan based on vaccines, not lockdowns
The prime minister is said to be set on avoiding another lockdown as he prepares to reveal his plan for managing Covid-19 over the autumn and winter. Boris Johnson is expected to address a news conference on Tuesday, when he will outline how vaccinations will provide Britain’s main defence over the colder months. (Sky News)
Health secretary wants PCR tests ditched
Sajid Javid has said he wants to remove the PCR test requirement when returning from some foreign countries "as soon as I possibly can". He said he was aware of the cost for families holidaying abroad and that the testing measures should not be in place "for a second longer than is absolutely necessary". (Sky News)
More than 300,000 break quarantine rules
Nearly a third of people arriving in England and Northern Ireland as the Delta variant soared may have broken quarantine rules. More than 300,000 cases were passed to investigators between March and May. The government was not able to say how many of these were found to have broken rules or could not be traced. (BBC News)
‘No Covid restrictions at Christmas’
Sajid Javid has said there will be no repeat of a Christmas lockdown, with booster Covid jabs as well as a flu vaccine programme adding to protection. He said: “Of course we get Christmas. I’m not anticipating any more lockdowns. I just don’t see how we get to another lockdown.” (The Sun)
Labour blasts Javid’s ‘shambolic’ U-turn
The health secretary has been criticised for announcing the government has dropped plans for domestic vaccine passports for use in nightclubs and other crowded venues this month, just days after No 10 defended the proposals. (The Independent)
EasyJet ‘ready to pounce’ at Gatwick
EasyJet is preparing to pounce on British Airways’ Gatwick slots if BA fails to convince cabin crew to back short-haul cutbacks. The budget airline is understood to be eyeing a raft of routes from Britain’s second-biggest airport, as well as Paris Orly. (THe Telegraph)
