UK Considers ‘Air Bridges’ Option to Reopen to Tourism

In efforts to reopen to tourism, the British government is examining the possibility of allowing mutual travel between countries with effective coronavirus (Covid-19) management and low infection rates.

According to a report in British daily The Telegraph, the department for transport and the Home Office are looking into replacing Covid-19 quarantine for arrivals with the introduction of an “air bridges” policy next month.

Under the “air bridges” idea, travelers from countries with lower coronavirus infection rates will be allowed into the UK without having to remain in self isolation for a 14-day period. The quarantine measure for travelers arriving from abroad, set to go into effect on June 8, has been slammed by airlines, business groups and politicians.

In this direction, UK officials are now in talks to set up “air bridges” with other countries, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed on Monday.

“It’s something we’ve said we’re looking at and that remains the case,” the spokesman said. “We’ve set out the reasons why we believe (quarantine) is a necessary step: its intention is to control the spread of the virus and protect the British public,” The Telegraph reported.

Several countries have explored the possibility of enabling quarantine-free travel through clusters or so-called “travel bubbles”.