Westminster’s refusal to accept vaccines administered in some parts of the world while accepting others despite the vaccine being the same has come under criticism.
Elsewhere, there are dire warnings about higher energy bills and empty supermarket shelves in the UK this winter. Boris Johnson has also told world leaders to “grow up” and take action on climate change.
Here are the main headlines travel woke up to Thursday (23 September).
England’s Covid travel rules spark outrage around the world
England’s new Covid travel rules and the UK government’s refusal to recognise vaccines administered across huge parts of the world have sparked “outrage” across Latin America, Africa and south Asia. Critics have called the rules “illogical and discriminatory”, as they still require fully vaccinated people travelling from these regions to quarantine. (The Guardian)
Government ’aims’ to scrap PCR tests for half-term holidays
Business minister Paul Scully has stressed that it is the government’s “aim” to be able to replace PCR tests by October’s half-term school holiday. He added that it was necessary to “get the systems in place” to make the planned move to Day 2 lateral flow tests when people return to England. (Sky News)
Britain faces winter of woe
Millions of people in the UK are set to be hit by a £400 increase in energy bills this winter as the gas crisis causes further suppliers to collapse in the coming weeks. The country could also face food supply problems and empty supermarket shelves due to a shortage of lorry drivers and farm workers in the run-up to Christmas. (The Daily Mail)
PM calls for humanity to ‘grow up’ on climate change
Prime minister Boris Johnson has told world leaders that global temperature increases are already “inevitable”. But he urged governments to commit to making major changes to prevent further warming during a speech to the United Nations when he added it was “time for humanity to grow up”. (BBC News)
Virus will just end up causing a cold, says Oxford jab creator
New variants of the coronavirus are likely to be less deadly, according to Sarah Gilbert, the leader of the team of scientists who developed the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine. She said the coronavirus was “unlikely” to be able to mutate into variants capable of “evading” vaccines in the future. (The Times)
Airport rescued by Sturgeon set to become satellite spaceport
Prestwick airport in Scotland is set to become a spaceport after striking a deal for “horizontal” satellite launches. The loss-making airport, which was rescued by the Scottish government in 2013, has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK-based rocket company Astraius. (The Telegraph)
