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Cautious ‘smiles’ at possible easing of travel restrictions from the UK (Updated)

vaccine passport

News that the UK government might open up summer holidays abroad for vaccinated Britons have been welcomed by tourism industry players in Cyprus, who hope that less red tape for visitors when they return to Britain could turn out to be a key incentive.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that UK officials are drawing up proposals that could allow people who have had both Covid-19 jabs to avoid having to quarantine on their return home from amber list countries – such as Cyprus – although they will still have to be tested.

The change would effectively turn amber countries green for the vaccinated, opening up the possibility of quarantine-free travel to most major holiday destinations in Europe, including Cyprus.

“Throughout the past two years, the people working in the tourism industry have learned not to make predictions, as we have witnessed how things can change unexpectedly,” Chrisemily Psilogeni, general director of the Association of Cyprus Tourist Enterprises (Stek), told the Cyprus Mail on Thursday.

“But I cannot deny that the news of a potential easing of travel restrictions in the UK put a smile on our faces.”

Director general of Cyprus Hoteliers Association (Pasyxe) Philokypros Roussounides said the move would massively help restart the flow of foreign tourists to Cyprus, particularly as far as Britons are concerned.

“It’s very critical for the tourism industry to have a substantial number of arrivals from the UK, traditionally our biggest market,” he told the newspaper.

“We are hoping and expecting that the restrictions put in place by the British government regarding international travel will be lifted as soon as possible taking under consideration Cyprus’ epidemiological picture.”

The proposal to ease the restrictions for vaccinated people are, however, at an early stage, but British Health Secretary Matt Hancock was said on Wednesday to be “open to the change”.

Hancock’s comments came after UK PM Boris Johnson was heavily criticised by MPs in the House of Commons  over his failure to end Covid-19 restrictions as expected on June 21.

Major airlines on Wednesday also renewed their calls on the British government to restart international travel.

According to the Telegraph, plans to ease restrictions for returning travellers from abroad could be discussed by the UK committee on Covid operations within the next fortnight.

However, officials are still working on whether any new regime would be limited to returning British holidaymakers or apply to all fully vaccinated arrivals, the newspaper said.

While the former would benefit Cyprus’ tourism industry enormously, failure to freely allow in all vaccinated arrivals would still have impact, as those living in Cyprus and eager to visit the UK would still be subject to the self-isolation and testing regime.

“I know discussions regarding the easing of restrictions on foreign travel in the UK are at an early stage, but this is indeed good news for us,” Roussounides said.

Stek’s Chrisemily Psilogeni said if the change happened soon Cyprus would be able to salvage at least a part of the crucial summer season.

“You also have to keep in mind that the UK is being pressured by airlines and tour operators to ease up on travel restrictions.”

Psilogeni added that many people who got inoculated with the Covid-19 jab did so in the hope of being able to travel more freely.

The deputy ministry of tourism said it was reluctant to comment on the possibility of opening up to British tourists until a concrete decision was made.

Meanwhile, reports that many hotels are considering temporarily closing down in Cyprus after Kataklysmos due to the uncertainty regarding foreign arrivals have been dismissed by Pasyxe.

“Not many hotels are definitely planning to close down after Kataklysmos, but there are certainly some that are questioning whether they should reopen in a month’s time, especially those who are traditionally chosen by British tourists every year,” Roussounides said.

“Some might end up closing but not in great numbers. Obviously, should the UK actually make things easier as far as international travel is concerned, that could change the hoteliers’ mindset. Let’s wait and see what happens first.”

 

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