Scientists voice ‘concern’ over rise in foreign travel

ANY increase in foreign travel this summer is concerning while autumn could prove to be “a particularly risky point” for the country, scientists advising the Government on coronavirus have warned.

The latest documents, revealing expert advice to ministers earlier this month, raised concerns that the return of students to schools and universities for the new term could place “significant pressures” on the health service.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab this week insisted the Government’s new rules on travel allowing fully vaccinated people from the US and EU to enter the country without having to quarantine are part of a “modest opening up”.

A document of July 14 stated the importance of global surveillance on new variants and added: “Any increase in foreign travel over the summer and the return of international students to universities in the autumn is of particular concern.” In the same document from the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling, Operational subgroup, experts warned that September and October “will be a particularly risky point in the trajectory of the epidemic”. It states “significant pressures on healthcare could be seen” if more normal behaviours, following the lifting of many restrictions, coincide with the return of schools and universities.

Yesterday Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hailed the idea of workers being double-jabbed before returning to the office but said it will not be a legal requirement. He also confirmed that while revellers will need proof of vaccination to go to nightclubs later this year, it will not be needed to go to the pub.