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Ministers have introduced contemporary restrictions on coming into the UK in response to the brand new Omicron variant of coronavirus, and can reintroduce pre-departure testing for all arriving passengers from subsequent week.
Sajid Javid, the well being secretary, stated passengers would wish to indicate proof of a destructive pre-departure take a look at, no matter their vaccination standing, from 4am on Tuesday.
Nigeria will likely be added to the journey “purple listing” on Monday morning, turning into the eleventh African nation to go on to the listing.
Individuals arriving from purple listing nations should quarantine in a government-approved resort at their very own expense for 10 days.
“In gentle of the newest knowledge we’re taking additional motion to gradual the incursion of the Omicron variant,” Javid stated on Saturday night.
Ministers have considerably tightened journey guidelines over the previous week in response to the variant, which was first recognized in southern Africa, sending a wave of uncertainty by the journey trade.
In addition to the return of the purple listing, arriving passengers are required to take a PCR take a look at inside two days of their arrival and should self isolate till they obtain a destructive outcome.
Airways, airports and different journey corporations reacted with dismay to the return of pre-departure testing, which they argue is a big deterrent to leisure journey.
Sean Doyle, chief govt of British Airways, stated the information was a “devastating blow” and that clients “will now be confronted with uncertainty and chaos”.
“The blanket reintroduction of testing to enter the UK, on prime of the present regime of isolation and PCR testing on arrival is totally out of step with the remainder of the world, with each different nation taking a measured strategy primarily based on the science,” he stated.
Karen Dee, chief govt of trade physique The Airport Operators Affiliation, stated she anticipated “many of the restricted remaining demand for journey” to “fall away.”
Dee referred to as for presidency assist to assist companies by one other interval of decreased demand for journey.
“Journey and aviation are the one sectors hit with any working restrictions in response to the Omicron variant,” she stated.
Tim Alderslade, chief govt of Airways UK, backed the expanded purple listing however criticised the brand new testing necessities.
“It’s untimely to hit thousands and thousands of passengers and trade earlier than we see the complete knowledge. We don’t have the scientific proof,” he stated.
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