The airline industry has also hit out at the UK government’s continued requirement for travellers to take a Day 2 Covid test, which they say is “unjustified”.

Meanwhile, authorities in Canada have declared a state of emergency in British Columbia after the province was hit by a major storm.

Here are the latest national press headlines travel woke up to on Thursday (18 November)

EU countries act over fourth Covid wave

Ireland has become the latest European country to reintroduce restrictions to try to contain the fourth wave of the coronavirus, including a return to working from home and curbs on the opening times of pubs, restaurants and clubs. Belgium, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are also to instigate new restrictions. (Financial Times)

Day two tests have no justification, say airlines

Airline bosses have been given “no explanation” as to why the UK is the only European country to still require arriving passengers to take a Day Two Covid test. The policy was criticised by industry figures when they appeared before the House of Commons transport committee. (The Times)

Johnson under siege from own party

Conservative MPs have hit out at prime minister Boris Johnson over his handling of the sleaze scandal during the past two weeks. Johnson admitted on Wednesday (17 November) that he had “crashed the car” on the issue of MPs’ lobbying and second jobs. (The i)

State of emergency declared in British Columbia

The Canadian province has declared a state of emergency after a major storm cut road and rail links. The Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed to help thousands of residents who have been left stranded by flooding and mudslides. (BBC News)

Disney Cruise Line to require five-year-olds be vaccinated

Disney Cruise Line has updated its vaccine policy to say that children aged five to 11 must have been fully vaccinated against Covid if they want to go on a voyage from 13 January 2022. The rule will apply for all US and international guests. (Sky News)

Consumers face £2,000 cost of living shock

Britons are facing a £2,000-a-year hit to their finances as inflation soars, tax rises kick in and interest rates rise, according to research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Inflation rose to 4.2% in October – the highest level for 10 years. (The Daily Mail)