Julian urges Transport Secretary to commit to vaccine passport timetable to open up amber list travel by start of school holidays
June 30, 2021
Julian has questioned the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, over the Government’s plans for foreign travel over the summer.
At the end of last week, Mr Shapps announced the Government’s intention to scrap quarantine rules for those travelling from amber list countries who are fully vaccinated. Whilst there is no definite timeframe for this change, the ambition is to see it introduced by the end of the summer.
Yesterday in the Commons, Mr Sturdy, who has been vocal in urging the Government to open up safe foreign travel, asked the Transport Secretary to bring this forward to provide certainty for families and the industry going into the school holidays.
After speaking in the chamber, Mr Sturdy said:
“Whilst the exemption for double jabbed arrivals is to be welcomed, we need a commitment from the Government to a July commencement date and the inclusion of unvaccinated under-18s if it is to have a significant impact on travel this summer.
The travel industry has been one of the hardest hit from the pandemic and businesses are desperate to start the long process of recovery. They will only be able to do this once there is some certainty in Government policy to give the general public the confidence to plan and book ahead.
I was disappointed that the Transport Secretary missed another opportunity today to provide this clarity, but I hope that he will realise the importance of introducing this policy without delay to avoid this being another wasted summer for holidaymakers and businesses.”
