HEATHER WHEELER
Travel taskforce aims to get us through turbulent times
OVER the past number of months many constituents have written to me asking about the impact the coronavirus has had on the aviation sector. Not just in terms of flying but also how it has affected cabin crew, pilots, those that service and the companies that make the parts for aircraft to ensure they are well maintained.
It has had a detrimental impact on the aviation industry and additionally hospitality and events as fewer people have been flying to the UK, including our local East Midlands and Birmingham airports.
I am sure many of you want to know what the government are doing to support these industries and help save as many jobs as we can.
In July we took a major step forward in re-starting international travel with the creation of travel corridors whilst maintaining the ability to act if public health was at risk. Between June and July passenger numbers jumped by 400 per cent to 3.1 million passengers.
This would have provided a boost to the aviation industry, hospitality and other UK businesses. It was also important that whilst beginning to open, that we closely monitor the impact on public health. Since then, many people have asked me about the potential for testing on arrival to reduce or replace the need to self-isolate.
The government have been looking at the practicalities around this and have found that single testing, provided by the private sector at the cost of a passenger after a period of selfisolation could help, but it has been at its early stages.
After finding this potential solution, I was delighted that the government has set up a Global Travel Taskforce which will consider the steps government could take both here in the UK and internationally to implement this.
The taskforce will work in collaboration with the transport industry, the tourism and local business sectors and the private testing sector. It will look at the broader recovery of international travel and look at the possibilities of non-testing interventions too.
This is not something we can do alone; each country has implemented its own measures, which at times can be confusing for those travelling and can be somewhat off-putting. So, the government will also be working to create a framework for international travel to create consistency and continue to protect public health.
It is important we do all we can to encourage travel and restore confidence in passengers and see the return of international travel.
In doing so it could help save thousands of jobs – not just pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, but also in other industries, not least our own Rolls-Royce.
As we welcome people back it could have a knock-on effect on other industries such as in hospitality and events.
By restoring confidence and seeing the return of travellers, more people would be able to go out to events across the Midlands but also be able to stay in some of the amazing hotel and B&Bs we have here in South Derbyshire.
The hospitality and events sector is one of the hardest-hit industries and I believe that by encouraging safe travel it could see customers once again going to events and enjoying some of the beautiful sites we have to offer.
If testing before travelling becomes successful it will protect the aviation, hospitality and events industry. I would also hope that perhaps the next step, if successful, is to look at how this could be used at events and theatres so we can once again see theatre doors and venues open and even weddings once again.
If testing before travelling becomes successful it will protect the aviation, hospitality and events industry.