The transport ministers of the US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the EU Commission today debated the safe return of international travel in a virtual meeting hosted by UK transport secretary Grant Shapps.
The UK’s Department for Transport said the meeting “outlined aligned principles for reopening international travel” and will help develop globally recognised standards – including the coordination of universally accepted travel certificates – for when travel returns.
“If we’re to safely and sustainably restart international travel on a global scale we need a robust, accessible and coordinated approach,” said Shapps.
“That’s why I’ve brought together my G7 counterparts to identify shared goals, address challenges we may face and progress work on a coordinated approach that will allow us to build back better as we look to the future.”
Shapps also shared with leaders the UK government’s plans, as recommended by the Global Travel Taskforce, for the restart of international travel from May 17.
Several industry sources have speculated the government will publish a ‘green list’ of countries – from which returning passengers would not need to quarantine upon return – this Friday.
American Express Global Business Travel recently urged G7 leaders to help accelerate the restart of international travel when they convene at next month’s G7 summit in Cornwall.