Travel sector in focus as UK working on plans to ease travel restrictions

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed the government is working on plans to allow fully-vaccinated people to avoid quarantine rules when returning from ‘amber’ list countries, providing hope for companies in the travel sector that international travel will take-off this summer.

Speaking to Sky News about the plans, Hancock said: “This hasn’t been clinically advised yet, we’re working on it.”

“When I’m in a position to be able to say something then we will do. But it’s absolutely something we’re working on and it’s something I want to see,” Hancock added.

The idea that fully vaccinated people would be able to avoid quarantining on returning from ‘amber’ countries was first touted last week and gave a boost to airlines and tour operators.

Airlines such as EasyJet (LON:EZJ), Ryanair (LON:RYA), Wizz Air (LON:WIZZ) and British Airways parent IAG (LON:ICAG) are all trading higher today, as is tour operator Tui (LON:TUIT) and jet engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce (LON:RR).

Many of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations are on the government’s ‘amber’ list of countries, meaning under current regulations passengers returning have to self-isolate for 10 days upon their return to the UK.

Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, and Portugal are all on the ‘amber’ list.

However, that doesn’t mean that restrictions will be reciprocated. Last week, Italy announced that travellers from the UK will have to quarantine for five days amid the spread of the ‘Delta’ variant in the country. France and Germany have similar curbs on UK travellers.

A formal update from the UK government on changes to travel plans could come as soon as Thursday.