The countries that could miss out on an 'air bridge' this summer – and why
A list of likely “air bridge” destinations has suggested that Britons will be able to visit the likes of Spain, Italy, Greece and France this summer without needing to self-isolate for two weeks on their return.
The news will provide a boost for millions of UK holidaymakers itching for a taste of the Med after three months of lockdown and will be welcomed by millions more whose livelihoods rely on tourism.
However (should the list prove correct) there are some curious omissions.
Portugal
Perhaps the most surprising omission is Portugal. The country is Britain’s oldest ally (634 years and counting) and is heavily reliant on free spending UK sunseekers. Around 2.5m of us visit each year, with the Algarve being the big draw, and back in February the country even suggested it would subsidise UK holidaymakers after Brexit to make sure they keep coming.
Furthermore, it has been widely praised for its handling of coronavirus. Just over 150 deaths per million residents have been recorded in Portugal, putting it well ahead of Spain (606), Italy (573) and, indeed, the UK (647). Should its exclusion be confirmed, it would appear to have been punished for a recent spike in cases. The capital, Lisbon, and its surrounding metropolitan area, woke up on Tuesday to increased restrictions and more power for police to enforce them following a series of illegal parties, some attended by as many as 1,000 revellers. Its links with Brazil, where deaths are still spiralling, could also be a factor.
US
The US, whose borders remain closed, is unlikely to be on the travel agenda until the autumn, although even that will depend on whether states can reduce their coronavirus rates. More than 36,000 infections were reported by state health departments in the US on Tuesday, surpassing the previous single-day record of 34,203. Around 3.8m British nationals visit the USA every year, with Florida one of the key lures. This week Disney confirmed its Orlando theme park would not reopen in July as previously announced.
Turkey
Having been mooted as a possible “air bridge” destination earlier this month, Turkey was absent from the latest list. It would be bad news for many Britons; around 2.5m of us visit each year.
The country has seen a small rise in cases in recent days but its overall figures (both confirmed cases and deaths) remain low compared to many other destinations in Europe. A snub would not go down well with tourism officials. “We have taken strict measures to protect our employees and tourists,” Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy told AFP this week. “Turkey is the best-prepared country to welcome travellers.”
The minister last week unveiled a “safe tourism” certificate, awarded on the basis of 132 health and hygiene criteria, which has already been handed to more than 500 establishments.
The country has one of the world’s strictest face mask policies (something that may not necessarily entice holidaymakers looking to relax). Strict rules in holiday hotspots such as Istanbul, Bodrum, Marmaris and Cappadocia require both residents and visitors to wear the protective coverings at all times while out and about. The edict extends to all public areas, including markets, restaurants, parks and beaches, in 46 of the country’s 81 provinces.
Malta
Another favourite with British tourists, with around 500,000 of us visiting each year, Malta would have every right to feel aggrieved at missing out on an “air bridge” as it has only recorded 664 Covid-19 cases and nine deaths.
It recently announced, exclusively to Telegraph Travel, that British sunseekers would be free to visit from July 15. “We are hoping that the FCO warning and the quarantine requirements will change on the UK side before July 15 – so that people will feel comfortable if they want to travel abroad,” says Tolene Van der Merwe, the director of the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) in the UK and Ireland. “But this is independent of what Britain does. Malta will be open.”
Tourists will be checked for the virus on arrival, but will be free to move on to their accommodation if they test negative. “Certain safeguards will remain in place,” Ms Van der Merwe explains. “There will be thermal screenings at the airport. All passengers – arriving or departing – will be required to wear face-masks or visors in the terminal building. This will also apply on coach transfers to and from the airport. And there will be a self-declaration form where people will be asked to share details of their travels in the previous 30 days. But this is to help the authorities trace cases – should anything happen.”
Croatia
Relatively unscathed by Covid-19 (107 deaths have been reported), Croatia also appears to have been omitted from the UK’s “air bridge” list. Given its growing popularity with holidaymakers (almost one million Britons go each year), and low infection rate, it would be a real surprise if it is overlooked. Surely Novak Djokovic can’t be to blame?
Furthermore, it was one of the first countries to roll out the red carpet to Britons, with no obligation to self-isolate on arrival since early June.
New Zealand
Telegraph Travel readers’ favourite country, Covid-free New Zealand is planning to keep its borders closed with a 14-day quarantine until 2021 because of fears of a second wave of coronavirus. That may change if an effective vaccine is developed, but it seems unlikely that trips to the country will be possible this year.
As for its neighbour, Australia, ministers are reportedly keen to include it but could be hindered because a transit in a third country is required to visit the country’s East Coast. In any case, Australia appears to be taking an equally cautious approach with its borders still firmly closed.
Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia
Ministers are also looking to open bridges to “low-risk” British Overseas Territories including Gibraltar, Bermuda, Montserrat and the Falklands Islands. Even though the number of flights and demand is low, they are regarded as special cases, and Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands might be added to the list too. But would there be room for Caribbean islands that are not British territories? It remains to be seen whether the likes of Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua, all popular with Britons and hugely reliant on tourist cash, will be custom from the UK in the coming months.
Along with St Lucia and the US Virgin Islands, Antigua is among the first holiday destinations in the Caribbean to have started welcoming holidaymakers again. Around two thirds of its GDP comes from tourism, and a third of its workforce is employed in the industry. To date, Antigua and its little sister island of Barbuda have contained the coronavirus well, with only 65 cases and three fatalities. On arrival at the airport, visitors will need to fill out a health declaration form and undergo a rapid Covid-19 test. They will be able to go straight on to their hotel, where they need to remain for up to 24 hours until the test result comes through. Visitors who test positive will be isolated – at their hotel where possible, otherwise at a government facility.
Dubai
Mooted as a possible air bridge contender a few weeks ago, Dubai appears to have fallen from favour for the time being. Around 1.5 million British nationals visit the UAE each year but as a winter sun destination, ministers may deemed its inclusion unncessary at this stage. It cannot be far down the pecking order, however, considering its low case numbers and strict safety protocols. Dubai plans to reopen to tourists from July 7, with travellers expected to take a test on arrival, register details on the Covid-19 DXB app, and agree to bear all costs of quarantine or treatment in the city should they fall ill.
Mexico
Increasingly popular with Britons in search of reliable sunshine (and Maya ruins to boot), Mexico welcomes around 600,000 of us each year. But while it continues to see large numbers of Covid-19 infections (there were 947 new deaths and 5,437 new cases on Tuesday), an air bridge looks unlikely. Hotels in the country have reopened, however, albeit at half capacity.
South America
Among the last places Britons will be able to visit may be South America, the new epicentre of the pandemic. Brazil passed 50,000 Covid-19 deaths this week and Peru is also struggling to contain its own outbreak. Other nations on the continent appear to be doing better. Colombia, for example, has seen 2,404 deaths and this week announced it is taking the chains off its borders with international flights to resume by September.
