TikaWeeks #15-2/2021: Sri Lanka & Maldives update
Posted by John on 16th April 2021
In November 2020, the Global Travel Taskforce produced 14 recommendations for the safe return of international travel in the UK. Last week, the taskforce reported a second time with further recommendations, including implementation of a ‘traffic light’ country system to which different restrictions are applied depending on risk, although the finalised list of countries is still to be decided and finer details are missing. There is a recommendation to remove measures limiting outbound travel by 17 May 2021 “at the earliest”, but this, too, is yet to be confirmed. Watch this space!
In the report, the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, has stated the following: “Our policy on non-essential international travel must therefore be guided by one overwhelming priority – public health. We cannot allow mass international travel to become a major vector for the introduction into the UK of dangerous COVID-19 variants. The recent surge in infection rates in Europe has highlighted the challenges we continue to face. Even as we seek to re-open international travel, we cannot rule out future restrictions, should they prove necessary. Be in no doubt: this government will act swiftly if the need arises.” As we know from past “swift” decision-making by this government, the fallout from such “decisions” is experienced by travellers, travel companies, airlines and hotels, and not the incumbent government - Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes; or, to paraphrase, “Beware of freaks bearing gifts”!
Categories: Flights, Maldives, News, Sri Lanka, Travel tips
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