As a third wave is sweeping across the EU scientists have warned that Brits wanting to a foreign holiday this summer is now unlikely as infections across the continent are spiraling out of control.
A government scientific advisor has warned that it is “extremely unlikely” that Brits will be allowed to holiday in the continent.
An infectious disease expert, Professor Andrew Hayward of University College London told Times Radio that given the high rates of infections across Europe it is “unlikely” that the government will allow travel this summer.
Professor Hayward told Times Radio, “I think the government has always been clear that travel abroad… any changes or plans are likely to change on that.
“It looks like some European countries are going to be having high levels and I think it’s unlikely that we would want to encourage travel to those countries whilst they have high levels of infection.”
Speaking to Sky News, Professot And Beate Kampmann, of paediatric infection, immunity and international child health said she believes that foreign travel will be “impaired” given the high infection rates globally.
Despite this the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock told Sky News that they will stick to the Prime Minister roadmap out of lockdown, adding, “We’ll make a judgement ahead of 17 May about whether it’s safe to do so and set out more details when when we’ve seen the impacts a bit nearer the time.
“We have to be vigilant and we’ve set out the steps in the roadmap that there should be no international travel unless it’s absolutely necessary until 17 May.
“The Global Travel Task Force will make a judgement and work with the industry on how quickly and whether we’ll be able to be open and how we can reopen in a way that is safe. That’s a judgement that we should make in a few weeks time, not now.”
Professor Tildesley, who is a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Modelling group, which reports into the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) told BBC Radio, “International travel this summer is, for the average holidaymaker, sadly I think, extremely unlikely.”
He added, “We are running a real risk if we do start to have lots of people going overseas in July, for instance, and August, because of the potential for bringing more of these new variants back into the country.”
Professor Kampmann, director of The Vaccine Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told Sky News, “Given what’s happening, I’m sure there will be a delay [to foreign travel].
“And we’ve just heard the news from Japan… that’s the only solution really that can be proposed. I think international travel will remain impaired.
“The more people we are vaccinating, the better.”
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