Global Travel Taskforce – a closer look at the report 13 April 2021 Dear Friends and Colleagues, On Friday we informed you that we were waiting for the detailed report to understand more about the plans the Global Travel Taskforce has set out for the reopening of international travel. We have now received the ‘detailed’ report and have picked out a few points which we wanted to highlight to you to be aware of.
Please see these points summarised below.
Click here to view the report >>
Report highlights • • • • •
The report raises the issue of the devolved nations The report indicates these checkpoint dates no later than 28 June / 01 July / 01 October 17 May is the earliest date for the resumption of international travel Certification: there is confirmation in the report that the aim of the government is to support residents needing verification to travel by utilising the NHS solution, (in order to meet international requirements) Cruise is aligned to above and will sit in traffic light system and will be assessed by country its visiting
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Traffic light system – a visual released so far
Green Watch List The report also states the introduction of a "Green Watchlist" for the first time: The Joint Biosecurity Centre will publish data and analysis to support the process of allocating countries. Allocations will inevitably change, and to give travellers more certainty we will also introduce a “Green Watchlist”. This public list will support travellers as they book travel to help identify the countries risk of moving from green to amber.
Modelling based evidence approach This week our consortium will send a letter to DCMS and the Department of Transport with our feedback on this report. Working alongside ABTA a letter has already been sent to the Department of Transport outlining the financial impact restrictions continue to have on the UK economy whilst international travel restrictions continue when elsewhere restrictions are easing. We have a few questions ourselves that we will be raising within this letter including the below: • • • • • •
What will the notice period of country movement be? What’s the weighting measure used to assess countries? Cost of PCR testing is currently prohibitive Business travel has been largely excluded from the report, how is the government planning on tackling business travel under the traffic light policy What can government do to enable travel businesses to plan ahead Until restrictions for international travel are eased fully, what financial support can be made available
Station Road, Longfield, Kent. DA3 7QD T: +44 (0)1474 706 976 E: business@sunways.co.uk www.sunwaystravel.co.uk
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While the country lists won’t be available until early May, the removal of the ‘don’t book know sentiment’ is an important step in the right direction for the safe return to travel. We are hopeful more details will be released by the Taskforce shortly and we will keep you updated as soon as we know more – in the meantime, you can read the detail of what they have released so far here. Kind regards, Mark Colley - Managing Director Sunways Business, Leisure & Sustainable Travel
Data source: Advantage Travel Partnership
Station Road, Longfield, Kent. DA3 7QD T: +44 (0)1474 706 976 E: business@sunways.co.uk www.sunwaystravel.co.uk
Proprietor: Nimar Travel Ltd. Registered Office: As above. Registered in England No. 1302911. VAT No. 303846960