Hancock Tells Britons Overseas Summer Holidays ‘Unlikely’
Hancock Tells Britons Overseas Holidays ‘Unlikely’ This Summer
(Bloomberg) --
Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned Britons planning summer vacations they’re unlikely to be able to go abroad, even as the government begins to ease a lockdown imposed to halt the spread of coronavirus.
“It is unlikely that big, lavish international holidays will be possible this summer,” Hancock told ITV’s “This Morning” show on Tuesday. “I think social distancing of some kind is going to to carry on.”
Hancock’s comments are the latest blow to the travel industry, which has been left reeling by the pandemic after governments around the world blocked non-essential arrivals to reduce Covid-19 infections. The U.K. aims to impose a 14-day quarantine on travelers arriving by air from the end of May, with some exceptions.
“The health secretary was reflecting the travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is that nobody should be traveling except for essential reasons -- and they do not include holidays abroad,” government spokesman James Slack told reporters when asked about Hancock’s remarks. “It’s very clear.”
The Airport Operators Association said the news reinforced the industry’s claims for extra taxpayer-funded support, acknowledging foreign travel is now unlikely this summer.
“That is our concern -- and a logical outcome of the government’s quarantine approach,” said Henk van Klaveren, head of public affairs at the Airport Operators Association. “It also depends on travel restrictions elsewhere being lifted, which is why we had been asking for additional support as our recovery will be slower than some other, domestic U.K. sectors.”
Domestic Impact
Hancock’s intervention will have a knock-on effect on domestic tourism. On Monday, Sarah Fowler, chief executive of England’s Peak District National Park, asked visitors to think twice before traveling to the area, arguing it does not have the resources to deal with a severe coronavirus outbreak.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall representing the county’s tourism industry, needs clarity from the government. Currently the district is planning to open again to visitors from July 4, unless the date is pushed back again by ministers reacting to a rise in Covid-19 cases.
On an average summer day in Cornwall the population swells by 34% as holiday-makers enjoy the beaches. If the area can open again in July it will have lost 600 million pounds ($742 million) in projected income. By contrast, if no visitors are allowed until the end of September, it could cost a projected 1.4 billion pounds to the area.
“We understand the safety aspect,” Bell said in an interview. “Equally these are big numbers.”
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