Calling the current requirement to quarantine travellers symptomatic of COVID-19, Gloria Guevara stated that “damaging quarantines and added unnecessary restrictions” should be replaced with new measures.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said, “WTTC supports measures designed to curb COVID-19 and protect public health but calls for the complete removal of unnecessary quarantines. Requiring inbound travellers and holidaymakers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 pre-departure test should ensure safe travel. This will be critical to encouraging essential bookings for future flights and holidays. However, there is still uncertainty around the type of tests which will be accepted upon arrival, and they must be made widely accessible and affordable for all."

“Calling the step of quarantining as unnecessary, Guevara commented, “But unlike many other countries where the proof of a negative test has replaced quarantines, further insisting all arriving travellers to isolate for ten days or undergoing a further test five days later, is an unnecessary precaution. It will only stifle travel, putting more pressure on the embattled Travel & Tourism sector.”

Guevara further stated, “Continuing with these damaging quarantines and added unnecessary restrictions will impact forward bookings which will be vital to revive international air travel, bring back travel and tourism sector jobs. Also, to revitalize the global economy, while also protecting public health.”

“WTTC has long called for an internationally recognised rapid and cost-effective testing regime upon departure at airports worldwide. This would avoid exporting the virus, especially by departing outbound passengers, and aid the restoration of international travel,” she said.

“According to the WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, the importance of inbound international visitors is laid bare; international visitor spending in 2019 contributed £28.2 billion, representing 4.2 per cent of the UK’s total exports.” 

Travel & Tourism is critical to the UK’s economic well-being and is responsible for almost four million jobs, or 11 per cent of its total workforce. It also generated nearly £200 billion GDP or 9 per cent to the UK economy,” she concluded.