However, there are also warnings of half-term “chaos” for families with children who have had Covid-19 but not taken a PCR test potentially being unable to use vaccine passports during their holidays.
Grant Shapps has also revealed that passenger locator forms will be “simplified”, with the transport secretary branding the current form “ridiculously complicated”.
Elsewhere, tensions over a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine are growing, while prime minister Boris Johnson’s troubles continue with revelations of a birthday party held for him during lockdown in 2020.
Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Tuesday (25 January)
Book your half-term holiday, UK told as arrival tests scrapped
Travel companies reported an immediate surge in bookings on Monday (24 January), with ski destinations in France and Austria among the most popular holidays. The boom came as the government scrapped Day Two Covid tests for fully vaccinated travellers from 11 February. (The Times)
Half-term holiday chaos: Children who had Covid but no PCR may be unable to use vaccine passports
Children who have had Covid but did not take a PCR test may be unable to use vaccine passports during their half-term holidays. Countries such as France and Italy require all over-12s to prove their vaccination or recovered status to access official Covid passes, which are needed to use ski lifts, restaurants and transport. (The Telegraph)
Transport secretary admits passenger locator forms are ‘ridiculously complicated’
Grant Shapps has revealed that passenger locator forms are to be simplified by the government after he admitted they were “ridiculously complicated to work your way through”. He made the announcement during a round of TV interviews to talk about the latest easing of travel rules. (Sky News)
US puts 8,500 troops on alert over Ukraine fears
The US has placed thousands of troops on “heightened” alert ready to be deployed to Europe, while Nato has reinforced its eastern borders with warships and fighter jets. The moves have been made as fears increase that Russia may soon launch an invasion of Ukraine. (The Guardian)
Johnson held lockdown birthday party at No 10
Prime minister Boris Johnson attended a birthday celebration thrown by his wife in Downing Street at a time when indoor social gatherings were banned in May 2020. No 10 has admitted that the gathering for around 30 guests took place as the “partygate” scandal continues. (The Times)
Cruise ship changes course to dodge seizure
Crystal Symphony unexpectedly docked in the Bahamas instead of returning to Miami to avoid the ship being seized by US authorities. A US judge had ordered the ship to be seized in a dispute over unpaid fuel bills. Passengers on the cruise were instead taken by ferry to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. (BBC News)
