Travel restrictions imposed because of the Omicron variant have come at a huge cost to the travel industry and the broader UK economy, experts say. Photo: AP
Travel restrictions imposed because of the Omicron variant have come at a huge cost to the travel industry and the broader UK economy, experts say. Photo: AP
Travel restrictions imposed because of the Omicron variant have come at a huge cost to the travel industry and the broader UK economy, experts say. Photo: AP
Travel restrictions imposed because of the Omicron variant have come at a huge cost to the travel industry and the broader UK economy, experts say. Photo: AP

UK travel industry calls for Covid testing rules to be dropped in government review


Laura O'Callaghan
  • English
  • Arabic

Travel industry bosses have called on the UK government to scrap testing rules that they say are no longer necessary to curb the spread of Omicron because it has become the dominant Covid-19 strain.

Before Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s review of Covid rules on Wednesday, the leaders argued that compulsory testing for arrivals and departures had hindered their sector’s recovery.

The rules introduced in early December require that all travellers over the age of 12 show a negative Covid test upon arrival in the UK. The test can be a PCR or lateral flow and must have been taken in the two days before arrival.

Within two days of coming to the UK each person must take a PCR test.

But with record-breaking Covid figures being reported, travel bosses have argued the rules are no longer necessary.

Manchester Airports Group chief executive Charlie Cornish and Airlines UK boss Tim Alderslade on Tuesday said the requirements could be removed without affecting overall Covid-19 case rates and admissions to hospital in the UK.

“The health secretary rightly acknowledged, as early as December 8, that the value of any form of restrictions was significantly reduced once Omicron became dominant in the UK,” they said.

Stricter testing rules were imposed for travellers arriving in the UK in December to limit the spread of the Omicron variant. Photo: AP
Stricter testing rules were imposed for travellers arriving in the UK in December to limit the spread of the Omicron variant. Photo: AP

“It should give the UK government confidence to press ahead with the immediate removal of these emergency restrictions, giving people back the freedom to travel internationally to see loved ones, explore new places and generate new business opportunities.”

Mr Cornish and Mr Alderslade said the restrictions “come at a huge cost to the travel industry” and the broader UK economy.

Mr Alderslade told Times Radio: “If we cannot get rid of these restrictions before the end of January then we are concerned about the impacts in terms of revenue and [the] balance sheet of a sector that has been absolutely decimated.”

Tim Hawkins, chief of staff at Manchester Airports Group, told the BBC's Today programme that research commissioned by the group showed there was a “basis for taking out all tests” related to international travel, due to the high number of infections in the UK.

“We are beyond the point where international travel restrictions can play a role in managing that peak and if there is no benefit to it then we shouldn't be doing it and we should take those measures out,” he added.

Virgin Atlantic boss Shai Weiss said the aviation industry has demonstrated how “international travel can operate safely, taking full advantage of our world-leading vaccine rollout”.

“Unnecessary testing requirements will only result in confusion for millions, damaging customer confidence and economic recovery,” he added. "We urge UK government to act now and lead the way for the return of travel at scale.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is understood to be pressing for a relaxation of rules to help the airline sector.

Shares of airlines dependent on the British market, including Ryanair, EasyJet and British Airways owner IAG, reversed earlier losses after news outlets reported the plans.

On Tuesday the UK’s daily Covid record was smashed when it reported 218,724 infections.

The US and France are the only other countries to have declared more than 200,000 cases in a single day.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference hours after the figure was released, Mr Johnson said booster vaccines would become the norm for travel to many countries within weeks, as he urged people to come forward for a third shot.

There are still nine million people in the UK eligible for booster shots who have yet to avail of the offer.

Gillian Keegan, Minister for Social Care and Mental Health, backed his call and said Britons should take advantage of the vaccination campaign.

“We would urge everybody, if you’re eligible, if you’re within that 28 days if you’ve had Covid, please come forward,” she told Sky News.

“The quicker we can get everybody boosted the better we can really be prepared to ride that wave that the prime minister talked about.

“It’s one of the key parts of our defence, our wall of defence, and we’re really relying on this as a national mission for everybody to come forward please to get their booster.”

Ms Keegan said “about a million people” are self-isolating after contracting Covid but the government did not have an exact figure.

A backlog has built up of people waiting for tests in order to leave isolation and return to their workplaces.

On Wednesday the UK Health Agency announced changed to the guidance, limiting PCR tests to those with Covid symptoms.

The authority said from January 11 people in England who do not have Covid symptoms and have tested positive for the virus with a lateral flow test will no longer need a confirmatory PCR test. Asymptomatic people account for around 40 per cent of cases.

People who have Covid symptoms should still get a PCR test, the UKHSA said.

“While cases of Covid continue to rise, this tried and tested approach means that LFDs can be used confidently to indicate Covid-19 infection without the need for PCR confirmation,” Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the agency, said.

“It remains really important that anyone who experiences Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates immediately. They should also order a PCR test on gov.uk, or by phoning 119.”

Earlier, Ms Keegan was asked about the reports on BBC Breakfast, and said “I know that the teams are looking at testing and testing regimes”.

“You may be able to expect some news — I don't know when,” she added.

  • A woman passes Britain's National Covid Memorial Wall, in Westminster, London. The UK has recorded more than 200,000 coronavirus cases in a day for the first time. PA
    A woman passes Britain's National Covid Memorial Wall, in Westminster, London. The UK has recorded more than 200,000 coronavirus cases in a day for the first time. PA
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters
    Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a briefing on the coronavirus pandemic. Reuters
  • Two women wearing face masks sit in an empty Tube train in London. The latest figures indicate that 1.2 million Britons have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week. EPA
    Two women wearing face masks sit in an empty Tube train in London. The latest figures indicate that 1.2 million Britons have tested positive for Covid-19 over the past week. EPA
  • A woman walks past a Covid-19 testing sign in London. EPA
    A woman walks past a Covid-19 testing sign in London. EPA
  • Boris Johnson visits a vaccination centre at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, England. AP
    Boris Johnson visits a vaccination centre at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Aylesbury, England. AP
  • A member of staff at Park Lane Academy in Halifax, England, assists a student as he takes a Covid-19 lateral flow test. AFP
    A member of staff at Park Lane Academy in Halifax, England, assists a student as he takes a Covid-19 lateral flow test. AFP
  • Overflowing bins in the Walton area of Liverpool, England await collection by refuse workers after coronavirus-related staff shortages.
    Overflowing bins in the Walton area of Liverpool, England await collection by refuse workers after coronavirus-related staff shortages.
  • Year 8 students wear masks during class at the Park Lane Academy in Halifax, England. AFP
    Year 8 students wear masks during class at the Park Lane Academy in Halifax, England. AFP
  • Volunteers hand out boxes of Covid-19 lateral flow tests in north-east London. AFP
    Volunteers hand out boxes of Covid-19 lateral flow tests in north-east London. AFP
  • People wearing protective masks walk through Waterloo train station in London. Reuters
    People wearing protective masks walk through Waterloo train station in London. Reuters
  • Health Secretary Sajid Javid visits the Montgomery Hall vaccination centre in Kennington, south London. PA
    Health Secretary Sajid Javid visits the Montgomery Hall vaccination centre in Kennington, south London. PA
  • Pupils sit next to lockers at the Fulham Boys School in London. Reuters
    Pupils sit next to lockers at the Fulham Boys School in London. Reuters
  • Information signs above the M8 motorway in Glasgow, Scotland. PA
    Information signs above the M8 motorway in Glasgow, Scotland. PA
  • Staff at Park Lane Academy in Halifax process students' Covid-19 lateral flow rapid antigen tests. AFP
    Staff at Park Lane Academy in Halifax process students' Covid-19 lateral flow rapid antigen tests. AFP
  • A sign advising customers that there are no lateral flow test kits available in the window of Wanstead Pharmacy in east London. PA
    A sign advising customers that there are no lateral flow test kits available in the window of Wanstead Pharmacy in east London. PA

Pressed on whether the public should expect changes to travel testing rules for people entering the UK, she said scientists advising the government “are looking at what makes sense”.

Amid surging cases and with staff shortages affecting multiple sectors, Mr Johnson is not expected to introduce additional measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

Seventeen major hospitals in the Greater Manchester area have suspended non-urgent procedures and treatment as they struggle to cope under the Omicron wave.

At least 12 hospitals have declared critical incidents as mounting staff absences hit the healthcare sector. Those affected include Blackpool Hospital, Westmoreland General Hospital and Lincoln County Hospital.

The NHS Confederation, which represents health bodies, said around one in 10 healthcare workers in England are off sick at the moment. He said the rate is much higher in some areas, with one trust reporting that 750 staff were absent on one day.

MPs will return to Westminster on Wednesday after the Christmas and New Year break.

Mr Johnson is expected to be grilled on the situation during Prime Minister’s Questions later today.

On Wednesday morning it emerged that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had tested positive for Covid, and Shadow Chancellor Angela Rayner would deputise for him at PMQs.

Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained

Defined Benefit Plan (DB)

A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.

Defined Contribution Plan (DC) 

A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.

Results

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2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s

3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s

5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s

6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s

7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004

8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100

9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,

Everton 1 Stoke City 0
Everton (Rooney 45 1')
Man of the Match Phil Jagielka (Everton)

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
  • Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work 
  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Stats at a glance:

Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)

Number in service: 6

Complement 191 (space for up to 285)

Top speed: over 32 knots

Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles

Length 152.4 m

Displacement: 8,700 tonnes

Beam:   21.2 m

Draught: 7.4 m

Our legal advisor

Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.

Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.

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Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
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Red flags
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  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
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Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

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New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15

New Zealand 15
Tries: Laumape, J Barrett
Conversions: B Barrett
Penalties: B Barrett

British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly

THE DETAILS

Kaala

Dir: Pa. Ranjith

Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar  

Rating: 1.5/5 

Which honey takes your fancy?

Al Ghaf Honey

The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year

Sidr Honey

The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest

Samar Honey

The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments

Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
%3Cp%3EThe%20new%20UAE%20league%20has%20been%20boosted%20this%20season%20by%20the%20arrival%20of%20five%20Pakistanis%2C%20who%20were%20not%20released%20to%20play%20last%20year.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShaheen%20Afridi%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESet%20for%20at%20least%20four%20matches%2C%20having%20arrived%20from%20New%20Zealand%20where%20he%20captained%20Pakistan%20in%20a%20series%20loss.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShadab%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DThe%20leg-spin%20bowling%20allrounder%20missed%20the%20tour%20of%20New%20Zealand%20after%20injuring%20an%20ankle%20when%20stepping%20on%20a%20ball.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAzam%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPowerhouse%20wicketkeeper%20played%20three%20games%20for%20Pakistan%20on%20tour%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20He%20was%20the%20first%20Pakistani%20recruited%20to%20the%20ILT20.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMohammed%20Amir%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHas%20made%20himself%20unavailable%20for%20national%20duty%2C%20meaning%20he%20will%20be%20available%20for%20the%20entire%20ILT20%20campaign.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EImad%20Wasim%20(Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20left-handed%20allrounder%2C%2035%2C%20retired%20from%20international%20cricket%20in%20November%20and%20was%20subsequently%20recruited%20by%20the%20Knight%20Riders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

Updated: January 06, 2022, 12:15 PM