DR BEN SPENCER MP
With the summer upon us it is fantastic that restrictions are lifting, not just in the UK but also for international travel, and it’s great news that the Government no longer advises against travel to amber list countries and those who have been fully vaccinated do not have to isolate when they return. For the past year I’ve been calling for testing to be used instead of quarantine, and more recently for the introduction of international vaccine passports once we had a vaccination programme. The new rules and easing of restrictions is a huge step forward for the return of international travel.
Requirements around testing and quarantine for red list countries remain, but the changes have opened up the chance to travel to many more destinations, giving people the chance to reunite with family and friends and have the opportunity for a great summer getaway. It is of course also great news for the aviation and travel sectors, and the thousands of jobs and businesses which rely on them.
I will continue to press for international safety standards, more support for sustainable aviation and measures to reduce aircraft noise, but for now, I will enjoy knowing more and more of our planes are back in the skies, and will celebrate the easing of restrictions and the return of freedoms to travel.