Overly cautious

The latest changes to the traffic light system for travel are welcome. The red list remains but amber is gone, rolled into green. The double-vaccinated will no longer have to do pre-departure tests or PCR tests on day two of their return to the UK, switching in the latter instance to cheaper lateral flow tests. This system will remain in place until the new year to safeguard Christmas holidays; lateral flow tests for the double-jabbed might then be dropped altogether.

But even this tiptoe in the right direction is frustratingly cautious. The end of pre-departure tests for the double-vaccinated is scheduled for October 4. The PCR change will kick in at the end of October. Why so slow? And why not get rid of these tests for the double-jabbed altogether? It is hardly a vote of confidence in vaccination if the vaccinated are still treated like a danger.

The switch to lateral flow tests might save a bit of money, but will still discourage many from travelling, adding to the impression that Britain is not open for business, even that it does not wish to be until Covid is eradicated entirely. This is unsustainable for an island nation. We depend upon movement and trade with the wider world.

The borders of some other nations are more open than ours; the UK, even with the situation comparatively under control, is falling behind. Moreover, it remains the case that travel at this point in the pandemic, with the vast majority of adults vaccinated, is more complicated than it was after the first lockdown, when we had none of these advantages. The UK can afford to be much bolder than this. Economically we cannot afford to remain so timid for much longer.