First air bridges unveiled to France, Italy and Spain

Brits can travel to France, Italy and Spain from next week. Bilateral calls to conclude deals with countries which have a Covid test and trace system.

After months of lockdowns, the UK government revealed the first set of safe “air bridges” to destinations. Britons can go on holiday on a set of countries which have the lowest number of Covid-19 infections.

First safe air bridges announced by Government

British people can travel to France, Italy and Spain from next week. They can have safe travel spots based on government announcements. Government is entertaining “intensive phone calls” to conclude bilateral deals with other countries. The Foreign Office will declare safe France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and possibly Portugal.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps unveiled ‘air bridges’ with countries which have a Covid test and trace system at the same standard as the UK. Not only that, the low rate of virus is also included as a precondition. Later, the Foreign Office will modify their travel advice from “against all but essential international travel” to allow travel to these safe nations. It comes after the quarantine review on June 29. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Gibraltar, Bermuda, and possibly Portugal will be included in the first batch of ‘safe nations.’

Long destinations not before August

Therefore, Turkey and Dubai might follow in August as medium haul destinations. From mid to late summer, long haul flights will return on the cards. Among those countries are Vietnam, Singapore, and Hong Kong. For Australia, the government is still working to find a solution. The plan consist of travel to Australia without quarantine, avoiding flights to high risk countries.

However the USA, Mexico and South American countries are set to be off limits until the end of the year. “America does not meet the Chris Whitty criteria of being a safe country, bit something like three million Brits visit the USA every year and they won’t be doing that.” said Paul Charles from pressure group Quash Quarantine.