Covid clarity vital for next schools break

CROSS-CHANNEL transporter Brittany Ferries is calling for clarity on Covid testing for travellers in order to give holiday firms a halfterm boost.

The company, which sails to France and Spain from Plymouth and Portsmouth, said the travel sector needs urgent clarification on the date by which returning holidaymakers can switch from expensive PCR tests to cheaper lateral flow tests.

The measure, announced this month by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and accompanied by the end of pre-departure tests commencing on October 4, will make an international holiday more attractive and less expensive for travellers.

PCR tests, which can cost between £43 and more than £90 per person, will be replaced later in October, but no exact date was given.

The Government said the aim is to have it in place for when people return for half-term breaks but Brittany Ferries said that without a clear deadline travellers will remain cautious.

Brittany Ferries has seen a 71% increase in reservations for the October half-term period and a 25% increase in forward reservations for 2022.

But many customers say they are waiting for absolute clarity over lateral flow test provisions before booking their next trip to France or Spain.

The company said the “woolly aspiration” that the change will come into force from the end of October is not helpful.

Holidaymakers and travel companies need urgent clarification to release a dam of pent-up demand, the company, which has its UK headquarters in Plymouth, said.

“We welcome changes to the travel framework for fully jabbed Brits and we have seen a significant increase in reservations as a consequence,” said Paul Acheson, sales and marketing director, Brittany Ferries.

“However, many families looking for a last-minute break are understandably still wary.

“We need the Government to announce a clear date upon which PCR tests will revert to lateral flow.

“This will release a dam of demand, supporting those working in the travel sector and giving holiday makers the full confidence they need to book a last minute get-away.”

This autumn Brittany Ferries is operating a wide range of sailings from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo, Bilbao and Santander, as well as from Plymouth to Roscoff and Santander.