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Govt reportedly planning late-June air bridge reveal
The government is reportedly preparing to announce a "small number" of air bridge agreements later this month.
Citing a government source, The Telegraph reports the UK’s first air bridges will be announced on 29 June, the same day the UK’s quarantine policy is due for its first review.
The regime is then expected to come into effect from 4 July.
Air bridges are bilateral arrangements with countries with lower rates of coronavirus infection, which would allow British holidaymakers to forgo the UK’s 14-day quarantine on arrival requirement when they come home.
Portugal and Greece are expected to be among early accessible destinations.
Speaking during a government coronavirus press briefing earlier this week, prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed talks over air bridges were ongoing when pressed on hints from France and Spain they will enact reciprocal arrangements with the UK – which would currently mean quarantine on arrival.
The Telegraph source added the move was conditional on the Foreign Office softening its current global travel advice.
The FCO is currently advising British nationals against all but essential international travel, while stressing the advice was being kept under "constant review".
On Thursday (18 June), it was revealed airlines were lobbying the government for air bridge agreements with 45 countries, including the Dominican Republic, as well as several others in the Caribbean.
It is understood that the majority of early air bridge agreements will be with European countries. The EU is working towards reopening its borders internally by the end of the month.
However, despite relentless talk of air bridges, ministers have consistently played down developments; last week, transport secretary Grant Shapps said there would be no update on air bridges until 29 June, while foreign secretary Dominic Raab on Thursday warned there were risks of legal challenges if certain countries were excluded.
James Chapple
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