How air bridges could aid tourism

Air bridges have been proposed as a way to ensure more travellers are excluded from the 14-day quarantine.

Here the PA news agency looks at eight key questions around the issue:

What is an air bridge? Air bridges would mean passengers travelling between the UK and specific destinations could avoid having to self-isolate.

What routes could be considered?

They would be for routes between countries deemed at low risk of spreading Covid-19. Countries like the US, France and Italy have been suggested.

llHow quickly could they be introduced?

Quarantine rules will be reviewed every three weeks, so they could be in use by the end of June.

Why was this proposed? There is concern people will not take overseas holidays and foreign tourists will not visit the UK if they must go into quarantine for 14 days.

Who wants air bridges? Support has come from hundreds of UK travel and tourism businesses, senior Tory MPs and Portugal’s foreign minister. What about Boris Johnson?

Reports suggest the prime minister is in favour. His official spokesman said on Tuesday that the government is still looking at the suggestion.

llllWhat has the transport secretary said?

Grant Shapps said the government is working with the transport industry “to see how we can introduce agreements with other countries when safe”.

lWhat do scientists say? Professor Keith Neal of Nottingham University said that people from the UK who visit countries with less disease and maintain social distancing will be at a lower risk of being infected.

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New rules for travellers come into force from Monday