There is also news of a Covid pass for some children amid renewed concern about the cost of testing for families, while difficulties with the quarantine system have already emerged.
Here is are the key headlines affecting travel on Monday 6 December.
Three-week review ‘to be brought forward’
Downing Street insiders say the prime minister is set to deliver an update on the Omicron variant days earlier than the three-week review previously announced as December 18. The update will centre on the Christmas break but it is likely travel restrictions will be part of it. (The Sun)
Covid pass for 12-15s to be introduced
An NHS Covid pass for travel will soon be made available to fully vaccinated 12-15-year-olds. The NHS Covid pass app is currently only available to those aged 16 and over. Parents have complained of holiday disruption as countries such as Spain, Germany and Malta require proof anyone over 12 has had both vaccines to enter. (The i)
Race to expand quarantine hotels as travellers stranded
Hundreds of travellers are stuck in red list countries because there are not enough quarantine hotels in the UK. Some travellers in South Africa have been told they cannot return until 13 December. Nigeria’s addition to the list has added to the pressure. (The Telegraph)
New restrictions mean ‘£400-£800 extra’ on a family holiday
Lateral flow tests for pre-departure screening costing an average of £20 and Day Two PCR tests £80 mean the new requirements will add at least £400 for a family of four to travel to and from the UK. The government’s website lists day two PCR test providers showed numerous suppliers charging £180 or more per person, potentially leaving families facing an £800 bill. (The i)
Covid test reintroduction ‘too late’, says advisor
The reintroduction of pre-travel Covid tests is like “shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted”, a government scientific adviser has said. Professor Mark Woolhouse said the rules had come “too late” because the Omicron variant was “already spreading pretty rapidly” in Britain. His warning came after cases reported in the UK rose by 50% in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 246. (The Times)
Tui Group set to reveal heavy losses
Tui is set to reveal heavy losses when it updates the City on the full year’s trading on Wednesday. The update will come just as renewed restrictions threaten to derail the group’s plans to ramp up capacity over the winter holiday season. (The i)
Interest rate rise ‘unlikely’ this month
The Bank of England is likely to put its much-forecast rise in interest rates on hold this month, experts now say. Uncertainty following the emergence of the Omicron variant mean rates will remain at the historic low of 0.1% on 16 December, analysts believe. Interest rate rises are used to tighten spending and slow inflation. (Financial Times)
New travel restrictions slammed by Business Travel Association
The BTA has slammed the re-introduction of pre-departure testing, calling it a “hammer blow to the business travel industry”. BTA chief executive Clive Wratten said the decision “directly contradicts the transport secretary’s announcement” made last week. (City AM)
