There are also signs that other countries, including Spain and the US, may also consider new travel restrictions as Omicron cases grow.
Here are the main headlines affecting travel on Tuesday 21 December.
Cabinet forces Johnson to back down on restrictions – for now
Boris Johnson on Monday faced a wave of cabinet opposition to new Covid-19 restrictions in England, forcing him to shelve decisions on a potential post-Christmas “circuit breaker” until ministers have seen new data. The cabinet will meet again this week, with further data on the severity of the new variant expected on Wednesday. One senior government insider said: “We are not planning to introduce new restrictions this side of Christmas.” (Financial Times)
Spain considering more restrictions
Spain’s government will meet on Wednesday to discuss emergency measures as Omicron cases spiral. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez held a media briefing on Sunday to say a recent spike in Covid-19 cases was a “wake-up call” and his country was likely to face “shared measures” to combat the virus. (Evening Standard)
Omicron dominant in the US
Omicron is now the dominant form of coronavirus in the US and made up 73% of new cases last week, according to federal health officials. It represents a near six-fold increase in the variant’s share of infections in just one week. The variant is responsible for an estimated 90% of new infections in places such as New York. (Sky News)
London New Year’s Eve celebration cancelled
New Year’s Eve celebrations in Trafalgar Square have been cancelled "in the interests of public safety", London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced. An event was being planned for 6,500 key workers and members of the public to see in 2022. (Sky News)
Business confidence falls
Omicron fears are embedding into British businesses in a sign the UK economy is headed for a period of contraction, a new study reveals. Business confidence dropped to 32% in early December, down from 40% in just a matter of days from late November, according to Lloyds Bank. (City AM)
Qatar Airways to sue Airbus
Qatar Airways is reportedly suing Airbus in the UK over a damage dispute concerning the A350 model. The airline has an issue with paint peeling from the aircraft’s carbon fibre skin, which is accelerated by Qatar’s desert climate and has been forced to ground some of its A350 fleet. (City AM)
