500K Brits face scramble to get home
‘No holiday is guaranteed’
HOLIDAYMAKERS are facing chaos and uncertainty amid fears France, Holland, Switzerland, Poland and Malta could be added to the quarantine list within days.
Amid an alarming surge in coronavirus cases on the continent, Boris Johnson warned yesterday that ministers will ‘not hesitate’ to reintroduce quarantine ‘very rapidly’ if infections continue to rise.
There are already fears that France – where 500,000 Britons are currently on holiday – could be readded if infections continue to increase over the next two days. The scenario could trigger a frantic rush of passengers desperate to return home.
And last night an industry expert warned it may be the case that fresh restrictions are imposed on Holland, Switzerland, Poland and Malta, where case numbers are rising. All returning passengers would have to self-isolate for 14 days.
Airline bosses last night dismissed the reports as ‘overegged’ speculation, but ministers have not ruled out imposing new restraints, insisting it is too early to make a decision that would have a significant impact on holidaymakers and the travel industry.
An extension of quarantine across would effectively signal the death knell for foreign holidays this summer, heaping fresh misery on airlines and tour operators.
In a potential scramble to return home before any new rulings come into force, holidaymakers would likely be given at least 30 hours’ notice before the measures kick in.
Ministers are said to be giving careful thought to the decision to blacklist France due to heightened diplomatic tensions with the Channel migrant crisis.
There are said to be further concerns for the capacity of Eurotunnel and ferry operators to deal with a sudden rush of travellers returning home.
Ministers insist no decisions have been made and an announcement is not expected imminently.
But in a sign of concern over the spike in infections, Whitehall sources last night said travellers should be prepared to expect the worst and warned: ‘No holiday is necessarily guaranteed.’