The UK Government's change in policy for fully vaccinated international travellers today has been celebrated by the business travel community.
From today, fully vaccinated arrivals in the UK no longer need to take a Covid-19 test after arrival and instead must only complete a simplified
passenger locator form. Those not fully vaccinated must continue to
take a pre-departure test and PCR test on or before day two after
arrival.
Last night, ahead of the change in policy, Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, described it via Twitter as a "landmark moment for international travel."
He added: "After nearly two years of necessary but complex travel arrangements
these changes will make it cheaper and easier for families to travel,
taking advantage of the UK's high levels of vaccination, and keeping us
all safe."
The the relaxation of rules was attributed to "the success of the UK’s vaccine and booster rollout."
Senior business travel industry executives called it "International Travel Freedom Day."
Clive Wratten, chief executive of the UK's Business Travel Association, added via LinkedIn: "For those that doubted the travel industry's ability to lobby and fight with one message, the fact that the UK is now the country with the least travel restrictions shows the power and consistency of the messaging that has taken place across the industry. Many things could have been done better but equally many things have been done right.
"Criticism only takes a moment; lobbying takes patience and persistence. Now the battle continues to get consistency across the globe and to ensure we have a plan that keeps the borders open should further concerns occur."
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO, Advantage Travel Partnership, described the relaxation of testing requirements as a "landmark day" and added: "Today marks close to 24 months since the government advisory against non-essential travel was introduced, almost one year since travel was banned, and nine months since it became legal again to travel internationally from the UK.
"The world is opening up but for businesses operating in the UK outbound sector there is a long way to go and travel is anything but straight forward."