We think holidays abroad could be done safely, says top politician
TRAVELLERS HOPING for a summer holiday on the Continent have been handed a glimmer of hope after a top European politician said she believed it “can be done safely”.
European Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager said she hoped Britons could travel abroad for a break.
It comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Tuesday that people were unlikely to be able to go on foreign holidays this summer, despite Ryanair planning to restore 40 per cent of flights from July.
Asked about the prospect of Britons travelling to Europe for a vacation, Ms Vestager told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: “I would hope so.
“I think there’s discussion over it at every dinner table in Europe and probably also in the UK.
“We really need a break from this. Can we go as we planned or
will we have to stay within the borders of our home country?
“We think that it can be done safely.
“And I think it’s a very good sign that Germany said yesterday that they will open their borders towards France and Austria.”
On Tuesday, asked whether “summer was cancelled”, Mr Hancock told ITV’s This Morning: “I think that’s likely to be the case.” He added: “It is unlikely that big, lavish international holidays are going to be possible for this summer.
“I just think that’s a reality of life.”
Ryanair will operate flights to its regular short-haul destination roster from July, but with reduced frequency.
The Government announcement that passengers entering the UK will have to undergo a 14day quarantine has impacted on airlines’ decisions on restoring services.
However, short-haul flights are expected to return before longhaul routes.
British Airways had planned to offer 45 per cent of its usual capacity before the quarantine plans were revealed and is now having to re-evaluate.
Norwegian has suspended flights on its long-haul routes until at least March 2021 but hopes to reinstate some shorter flights.