Meanwhile, the run-up to next month’s COP26 environment summit continues with a call to ban most domestic flights while British Airways has introduced gender neutral passenger announcements.

Here is the news affecting travel on Monday 11 October.

Red list and FCDO restrictions lifted today

Covid travel advice has been relaxed this morning, making it easier to visit almost 90 countries. Forty-seven nations were taken off the red list at 4am, meaning anyone arriving from places including South Africa, Brazil and Argentina no longer needs to quarantine in a hotel. In addition, advice against non-essential travel to a further 42 countries and territories has been lifted too. (Sky News)

Ban domestic flights and subsidise rail, says charity

Domestic flights should be banned and long-distance train fares subsidised, The Campaign for Better Transport has urged. It called on ministers to outlaw internal UK flights if an equivalent train journey took less than five hours and to resist calls for any cut in air passenger duty. Mandatory emissions labels on tickets and a frequent flyer levy should also be introduced, the charity said. (The Guardian)

British Airways drops ‘ladies and gentlemen’ in announcements

British Airways will drop the customary ‘ladies and gentlemen’ formula from announcements to promote a more diverse and inclusive environment aboard its planes. “We celebrate diversity and inclusion and we’re committed to ensuring that all our customers feel welcome when travelling with us,” a BA spokesperson said. (The Telegraph)

Thailand using herbal remedy against Covid

Thailand’s government is using green chiretta to treat people with asymptomatic or mild coronavirus infections, following a trial in prisons which found 99% of those who consumed the plant recovered. The traditional medicine is usually used to treat colds. (Sky News)

‘Rising petrol prices to affect staycations’

UK hotels and staycation cottages could lose out during the forthcoming half term because families may be put off travelling by rising fuel prices, the AA has claimed. It said price, not supply, was the issue. (i news)