Spain to lift travel ban on UK from March 30

Greg Dickinson

23 March 2021 at 4:25 am·38-min read

Salobrea in Granada, Spain, pictured last week

Spain will lift restrictions on arrivals from the UK after a three-month travel ban, introduced to stop the spread of new strains of Covid-19.

The ban on UK arrivals by air and sea, in place since December 22, 2020, will be lifted on March 30.

The Spanish Government has extended its travel ban on the UK on six occasions. During the travel ban, only Spanish or Andorran nationals were allowed into Spain from the UK, meaning the majority of British second home owners – who own property but are not registered as residents – could not enter.

However, this comes as the UK Government has extended its own travel ban until July; anyone attempting to leave the country faces fines of up to £5,000 under new tightened border restrictions.

Officials have said the travel ban extension is for legislative convenience, and does not have any bearing on whether international travel will resume on May 17, as scheduled under the Government’s roadmap.

On April 12, the Global Travel Taskforce is due to report to the Prime Minister on how and when international travel can resume.

Scroll down for more updates.

05:18 PM

That's all for today

Before we go, here's a reminder of today's main headlines:

UK travel ban extended to June 30
Spain to lift travel ban on UK from March 30
BA and easyJet axe flights amid 'third wave' fears
No plans to add Europe to travel red list
P&O Cruises sees "overwhelming" boom in bookings

We'll be back tomorrow for more live travel coverage.

05:12 PM

Is it safe to go skiing? All you need to know about booking a ski holiday in 2021

Skiers and snowboarders are keen to secure their spots on the slopes for a winter escape next season, but is it safe to book now? Below, Lucy Aspden answers all your questions.

How should I book my ski holiday?

The key will be to book with a trusted operator who can guarantee your money is safe.

The best way to do this is through a tour operator with official Atol bonding. This bonding protects your money in case of financial failure, as does - in most cases - paying for your holiday with a credit card.

Will I be able to get insurance?

Many travel insurance companies have now started to sell policies again and nearly all will cover you if you get ill – but as is always the case with ski holidays it’s important to check they also cover the specifics required for winter sports. If you travel without it you run a huge risk.

Read the full article.

04:51 PM

Yorkshire restaurant with rooms celebrates one year of meal kits

Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms The Black Swan at Oldstead was one of the first UK hospitality businesses to adapt to Covid restrictions last year with the launch of its three-course fine-dining meal kit: Made in Oldstead.

Chef and owner Tommy Banks launched the project to continue to support his network of independent suppliers as well as a number of new team members who could not be furloughed. In 12 months, they have quadrupled their production and expanded the team to employ more than 25 extra people to prepare the boxes each week for nationwide delivery. Those who order can expect sophisticated flavour pairings like braised beef cheek with pancetta pommes anna and white cabbage kimchi, followed by decadent chicory and salted caramel delice. A Spotify playlist completes the experience.

Considering the boxes routinely sell out, normally two hours after the weekly menus are released – it's hardly a surprise there are no plans to slow this latest branch of the business when lockdown lifts.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Made In Oldstead (@madeinoldstead)

04:43 PM

'Government doesn't even begin to understand the damage they are inflicting'

Mike Gooley, CBE Executive Chairman & Founder of Trailfinders, comments:

The Government are simply getting the legislation provisionally in place in case they feel the need to extend the ban. They do not, however, even begin to understand that discouraging advance bookings is inflicting gratuitous damage on an already wounded Industry, denying them the ability to plan capacity. Is some element of Whitehall worrying about the undisclosed RCN (IOU) bill to come?

04:26 PM

No. 10 insists lockdown easing is 'on course' despite third wave fears

Downing Street has insisted the road map to easing the lockdown remains "on course" despite Boris Johnson warning that Europe's third wave of coronavirus infections could "wash up on our shores".

No 10 stressed the importance of the "very extensive" vaccination programme on Tuesday, as the row continued with the EU over its threat to impose an export block on jabs.

The Prime Minister highlighted the precariousness of the situation, saying that "experience has taught us that when a wave hits our friends, it washes up on our shores as well".

Despite Mr Johnson warning that "I expect that we will feel those effects in due course", his official spokesman said cases were already expected to rise as England's third national lockdown is eased and said the plan to ease restrictions was on track.

"Obviously this time we have as a defence our very extensive vaccination programme," the spokesman told a Westminster briefing.

"We remain on course for the individual steps in the road map. That hasn't changed."

04:17 PM

'The UK’s patient zero was one of my hotel guests'

I knew something was wrong when my phone lit up at 8.30pm on January 29 last year, with a call from our regional manager. I’m the chief operating officer for Staycity, a network of short-stay apartments across the UK. I was in Edinburgh that evening, where we had just opened a new hotel.

The regional manager sounded serious on the phone. He told me that half an hour earlier, two paramedics in hazmat suits had turned up at the reception desk at our apartment complex in York to deal with a "suspected Covid case".

My heart dropped: at that point, there hadn’t been a single confirmed Covid case in the UK. Was our business the site of the first? I prayed it was a false alarm.

Read Keith Freeman's full story here.

04:01 PM

'Hopes are not dashed yet' – Skyscanner

A spokesperson for Skyscanner said:

“Hopes are not dashed just yet for international travel this summer, but the when, where and how remains unclear. We know from our data and speaking to our travellers that there’s a lot of pent-up wanderlust following a year spent with ongoing travel restrictions. More clarity from government on updated restrictions in the coming weeks will be welcomed by consumers who are eager to get away safely when possible and within the rules."

03:54 PM

Turkey's unsung islands

Less known than their Greek counterparts, these isles will be open to holidaymakers by summer.

Which one do you fancy?

03:45 PM

Plan to holiday in the UK this summer, Prof Ferguson says

People should plan to holiday in the UK this summer, a senior scientific adviser has said.

Professor Neil Ferguson, whose modelling led to the first UK lockdown last March, said relaxing border measures too early risked the success of the UK's vaccination programme.

He said the risk from Europe is the arrival of new variants, or importing cases of the troubling South African variant from countries where cases were rising.

He told BBC Radio 4's World at One programme: "Just because there's a large epidemic in Europe does not inevitably mean we will have a large epidemic here.

"What determines whether we have transmission here is how immune the population is, how much we've rolled out vaccine, and the remaining social distancing controls in place. We've done very well in rolling out vaccine so far, so we're in a different position from Europe."

Asked if he was therefore in favour of keeping borders closed, Prof Ferguson said: "I certainly am in favour of relaxing border measures at a slower rate than we relax controls within the country."

He added: "Conservatively and being risk averse at the moment, I think we should be planning on summer holidays in the UK, not overseas."

03:41 PM

Greece to accept test flights from UK next month

Greece will begin accepting "test-run flights" from the UK next month.

Greece's tourism minister Haris Theoharis said that border controls would be relaxed in April, when "some" airports would start welcoming traffic from abroad.

Greece hopes to reopen to 'test flights' from the UK by April - Getty

“When I mentioned the May start date, I said we will gradually lift restrictions in an effort to test the temperature,” Theoharis told the Guardian.

“From sometime in mid-April we should be able to accept UK citizens, and those from other highly vaccinated countries, to test the new rules at a few entry points, not all 20 airports, but the ones most commonly used, such as Corfu, Heraklion in Crete, Athens and Thessaloniki.”

03:25 PM

Merkel orders five-day Easter shutdown to break third wave

Germany is to impose a complete shutdown over Easter as it tries to contain a rapidly growing third wave of coronavirus infections.

The decision came as France's hospitals chief warned the country was hurtling towards a third epidemic crisis despite fresh restrictions.

"The epidemic is gathering pace, and the figures are exploding," Frederic Valletoux, who leads the hospital group and is also mayor of Fontainebleau just south of Paris, told LCI TV.

Read the full report here.

02:56 PM

UK travel ban extended to June 30

Holidays will be banned until July, with anyone attempting to leave the country facing fines of up to £5,000 under new tightened border restrictions.

Under draft laws published yesterday, which will face a vote on Thursday, leaving the UK without a “reasonable excuse” (such as work, or education) will be illegal until June 30. Anyone who travels to a port or airport with the aim of leaving the country could face fines of up to £5,000.

Government ministers have grown increasingly pessimistic about whether international travel will resume on May 17, as cases rise across Europe. Speaking on BBC Breakfast yesterday, Helen Whately told people to “hold fire” on booking, as Boris Johnson said it was inevitable the third wave would “wash up on our shores”.

Officials have said the travel ban extension is for legislative convenience, and does not have any bearing on whether international travel will resume on May 17.

However, Matt Hancock told Sky News this morning that the third wave could derail our international travel hopes.

"We are seeing this third wave rise in some parts of Europe, and new variants, and it is very important we protect the progress we have made.

"It shows what an international challenge this is, and what we have to do is all work as much as we can together, but it also shows why we are being cautious on international travel."

02:50 PM

The best UK canal boat holidays to book now – before they sell out

There may be a question mark over international holidays, but a canal boat trip is a safe bet – and sure to be lovely. Here Paul Miles and Benjamin Parker round up some of the best.

The Avon Ring

There are centuries of English history to explore in the Avon Ring, a circuit of 109 miles and 131 locks. Start off with a little Shakespearean flait by mooring opposite the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Take in the picturesque mills on the River Avon, visit Tewkesbury, cruise the majestic River Severn to Worcester, then ascend the longest flight of locks in Britain on the Worcester and Birmingham canal.

The UK’s longest flight of locks can be found at Tardebigge, while the mile-long tunnel on the Stratford-upon-Avon canal. Time your trip down the latter for when a Shakespeare’s Express steam train is chugging through – trains start up again from July 19 – to see passengers wave from cream- and brown-liveried carriages.

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

Those looking for a truly peaceful trip should know that you can find electric narrowboats for hire on the isolated Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in Wales. Quieter and cleaner than diesel, your trip will be accompanied by a softer purring, rather than the steady 'put-put' associated with canal boats. There is a speed limit of 2mph, rather than 4mph on many canals due to shallow waters, so slow travel is mandatory – which is no bad thing when going through the magical Brecon Beacons.

Find the full list of trips here.

02:39 PM

Possible July restart date for international travel is pure speculation, warn travel bosses

Industry bosses are urging consumers not to assume a July restart date for travel is a done deal. Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association (BTA) commented:

It is very disappointing to hear international travel might not resume until June 30th, but the continual speculation about when travel will be allowed to begin is unhelpful and damaging to business confidence.

Meanwhile, Marcelle Hoff, Managing Director of Expressions Holidays stated:

The watchword here is may. Until we have the government’s first review on the 12 April it is only speculation and as such is not worthy of spreading. Having said that, it means that booking holidays now for anything from July 1 onwards is a positive! That’s what should be encouraged, on the basis that all tour operators are providing flexible options to change arrangements when necessary

02:33 PM

The enchanting corner of Spain that mass tourism hasn't discovered

If you’re looking for an enchanting corner of Europe that mass tourism hasn’t discovered, you could do far worse than Aragón, writes Annie Bennett.

Tourists, from Britain or elsewhere, are few and far between in this huge inland region in the northeast of Spain. Indeed, you might well see no one at all – it has some of the least populated areas in the country.

Bigger than Switzerland, this is a region that rewards multiple trips – unless you have at least a month to spare – as there is an immense variety to see and do, from skiing in the Pyrenees to birdwatching and canyoning. History and architecture lovers come for the Romanesque churches and Mudéjar monuments, or just to mooch around some of the prettiest villages in Spain. With a distinctive cuisine and some excellent wines, Aragón has a lot to offer visitors who don’t mind making a bit more effort when organising their holidays.

Read the full guide.

Albarracin, regularly named among Spain's most beautiful villages - Getty

02:19 PM

How will the new 'traffic light' system open up our holidays?

Green means go, but when and where, and which countries will turn red? Hugh Morris is here to explain.

When will the traffic light system be implemented?

It is too early to say how likely the prospect of travel to our nearest neighbours will look come spring and early summer (for example, infection rates in France are not looking good, but there is talk of a travel corridor with the US), though it would seem to make sense that the traffic light system be ready to roll out in time for May 17, even if all countries carry “amber” or “red” alerts.

How does it work?

Like a traffic light, of course. We believe it will work thus:

Green countries: no restrictions, or perhaps a requirement to take a test
Amber countries: open, but with quarantine at home and testing
Red countries: banned entirely, or compulsory hotel quarantine on return (and testing)

What will the restrictions/requirements for travel be?

Travellers returning from amber countries might have to take a test before returning home, and/or quarantine at home, with two tests, on days two and eight, costing £210, as it does now, while those returning from red countries could find themselves forking out £1,750 for a long stay at a Government-approved hotel.

Find the answers to more of your traffic light questions here.

02:09 PM

Adventure from home shores: The best cruises setting sail from the UK

The joys of holidays afloat are once again tantalisingly close, and you can easily step on board from a British port, writes James Litston. Below, he lists some of the best trips departing this year.

Wine time

We may no longer be in the EU, but Europe itself is no further away, so take advantage of the opportunity to get a taste for the Continent’s finest grapes. Sailing from Newcastle with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, join a two-week jaunt to the wine regions of Portugal, France and Spain aboard Balmoral, the line’s largest ocean-going vessel. As well as taking in La Coruna, Oporto and Honfleur, the intoxicating itinerary’s overnight in Madeira coincides with the island’s annual wine festival. Balmoral is also nimble enough to navigate the Gironde and Garonne rivers to reach Bordeaux for sampling Medoc and Merlot.

The 16-night cruise departs September 4. From £1,799pp, full board (fredolsencruises.com).

Scandinavian chic

Southampton is a fantastic departure point for the Norwegian fjords. P&O Cruises has a round-trip departure next spring aboard the brand’s newest ship, Iona, in what will be its maiden season. With four swimming pools, a spa, 15 restaurants and 13 entertainment venues, passengers will find plenty of distractions to fill their time when not being mesmerised by incredible scenery on shore. The first port of call is Stavanger, after which waterfalls, glaciers, wilderness and the rawness of nature steal the show.

The seven-night cruise departs April 30, 2022. From £587pp, full board (iglucruise.com).

Find the full list here.

There are worse ways to spend your time than sampling French wines - Getty

01:48 PM

£5000 fines could be a hit on people's mental health

New independent research by Freestyle has shown that 38 per cent of people in the UK are currently looking at holiday options because they need 'something to look forward to', specifically for mental health reasons. Meanwhile, 73 per cent are planning some kind of holiday this year and over half are prepared to spend more on a holiday this year than previous years.

The research shows that not only is there a demand for travel, but that allowing someone to dream and plan a trip is valuable for both would-be customers and the travel industry.

01:27 PM

Travel ban exemptions could tempt sunseekers to holiday under false pretenses

Just when you thought the lockdown was being lifted, a draconian new restriction has been foisted upon us, writes Oliver Smith. The latest Covid legislation – The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021, unveiled yesterday – contains the first specific ban on leaving the country in British history. But will every Briton fall into line? He's not so sure.

I’ve seen tales on Twitter of people booking house viewings abroad to beat the current holiday “ban”, and that remains an option. Article 7 allows for travel “to undertake any of the following activities in connection with the purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property – (a) visiting estate or letting agents, developer sales offices or show homes; (b) viewing residential properties to look for a property to buy or to rent; (c) preparing a residential property to move in; (d) moving house; (e) to visit a residential property to undertake any activities required for the rental or sale of that property.” That’s right, you can’t be reunited with your mother/son/partner, but you can view a nice villa on the Costa del Sol.

Read the full article.

01:11 PM

Tui's response: holidays "will be possible" this summer

Tui has issued a statement, following news that the travel ban has been extended to June 30.

“We remain committed to working closely with the government on the Global Travel Taskforce and look forward to understanding more about when international travel can take place when it reports on April 12.

“We believe holidays this summer will be possible, taking into account our outstanding vaccination programme and the use of testing where required.

“We recognise that entry requirements will vary from country to country and we will do everything we can to communicate requirements to our customers.

“Currently all Tui holidays have been cancelled before May 17 and all customers with a booking before the end of June are able to move it to another time for free as we recognise the uncertainty around travel at this time.”

01:08 PM

Queen's message on anniversary: Today we pause to grieve

The Queen has reflected on the "grief and loss felt by so many" as she marked the Covid lockdown anniversary by sending flowers to the hospital where the Duke of Edinburgh had heart surgery. A bouquet of irises, tulips, mixed narcissi and ranunculus and the monarch's message were carried to St Bartholomew's Hospital in the city of London from Windsor Castle, where the monarch and Philip have been staying during the pandemic.

The Queen's message read: "As we look forward to a brighter future together, today we pause to reflect on the grief and loss that continues to be felt by so many people and families, and pay tribute to the immeasurable service of those who have supported us all over the last year."

01:04 PM

Could holidays still resume from May 17?

Yes.

Officials have said the travel ban extension is for "legislative convenience", and does not have any bearing on whether international travel will resume on May 17.

So, while the law banning travel without a "reasonable excuse" is in place until June 30, with fines of up to £5,000 for those who flout the rules, this could in theory be overruled by a later ruling that travel can resume by May 17.

All will become clearer on April 12, when the Global Travel Taskforce reports back to the Prime Minister.

12:58 PM

Boris Johnson flies into another storm over deal for second ‘Brexit jet’

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has risked another row over the use of taxpayers’ money after procuring a second plane painted in the colours of the Union flag.

Downing Street confirmed on Monday night that the UK had acquired a second aircraft, a six-month-old Airbus A321, after images emerged of it stationed at Stansted Airport with a red, white and blue paintwork.

A government spokesman refused on Monday night to say how much the lease deal for the new aircraft cost

The plane has been leased from Titan Airways and will be used by Mr Johnson, Cabinet ministers and members of the Royal family for short-haul flights.

Read the full story, here.

12:46 PM

I have an overseas holiday coming up soon, should I cancel?

Our expert, Nick Trend, says:

"If you have a holiday booked and fear that government restrictions won’t allow you to travel after all, whatever you do, don’t cancel your arrangements unilaterally – otherwise you risk undermining your right to a refund. Instead, wait until your tour operator cancels the holiday itself. Decisions will probably be made for departures in the second half of May and June, in late April. If, however, you are nervous and would prefer to delay your trip – and your airline or tour operator allows penalty free deferrals or rebooking – then there is no reason why you shouldn’t do so."

Read his full advice, here.

12:43 PM

The year that tourism was sacrificed at the altar of Covid – was it even worth it?

One year on from the first “three-week” lockdown, we examine how tourism was jettisoned in 2020, and ask whether the restrictions helped.

Read the feature, here.

12:32 PM

A camping holiday instead, perhaps?

If all goes to plan the UK should be open for business this summer.

James Warner Smith, author of Almost Wild Camping, picks his favourite campsites across Britain.

12:17 PM

While we're on the subject of the USA

We want to know which of these natural wonders is highest on your to-visit list. Participate in our Twitter poll:

With hopes of a US travel corridor on the horizon, which natural wonder is top of your to-visit list?

🇺🇸🌎✈️
— Telegraph Travel (@TelegraphTravel) March 23, 2021

12:16 PM

Pressure for US to drop travel restrictions by May 1

Airlines and tourism businesses are putting pressure on the White House to draw up a five-week plan to reopen international travel and scrap restrictions.

More than two dozen groups submitted the request in a letter to President Biden on Monday.

They say that those who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 should be exempt from testing requirements before entering the US, to help speed up the recovery of the struggling aviation industry.

Airport passengers numbers are on the up across the USA - Getty

US air travel is already on the up. More than a million people have passed through US airports for each of the last 11 days, with Sunday’s tally of 1.5 million the highest for more than a year.

The organisations are calling for May 1 as the date for year-old restrictions on international travel to be lifted.

12:09 PM

What does the extension of the travel ban mean for travel insurance?

Tommy Lloyd, MD of Medical Travel Compared says:

"The latest government update about the extension of the overseas travel ban is understandably going to make a lot of people apprehensive because the vast majority of travel insurance will become invalid. However, we still need to wait and see what the official announcements are following the Global Travel Taskforce report that is due on 12th April.

"This ever-developing situation is a good example of why it is essential to purchase travel insurance at the time of booking a trip anywhere, even if it is a staycation. Generally, if you had booked travel insurance right now for a holiday departing before the end of June, it is likely you would not be able to claim for a cancellation. However, your holiday provider and/or airline should provide you with a refund as FCO advice is now in place and claims should be pursued through them in the first instance. Travel insurance is a hugely important part of a holiday and is often overlooked or an afterthought.”

12:06 PM

Nation falls silent to remember Covid-19 victims

People across the UK have taken part in a minute's silence to remember Covid-19 victims, marking one year since the first lockdown began.

MPs and peers in both Houses of Parliament and ministers in the devolved nations marked the solemn anniversary at midday, while NHS and social care workers also joined the pause for reflection.

Cathedrals in Blackburn, Winchester, Gloucester and York Minster also fell silent in honour of those who have died during the pandemic.

The London Eye, Tate Britain, Blackpool Tower, the Scottish Parliament, Belfast City Hall and other buildings will be lit in yellow on Tuesday evening to mark the occasion.

The public is also being urged to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm with a candle or light.

The Prime Minister, who has offered his "sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones", observed the minute's silence privately.

Earlier, Downing Street said Mr Johnson had reflected with Cabinet ministers on Tuesday morning on what had been "a very dark and difficult year" for the nation.

11:57 AM

One year in lockdown

A hallmark of any disaster film is the gradual unravelling of normality – until the scarcely believable becomes the everyday.

One year since Britain entered a national lockdown, we look back over the remarkable scenes you never thought you would see.

11:43 AM

While you're here...

To mark one year since the beginning of lockdown, everything on telegraph.co.uk is FREE to read.

Check out our travel stories covering advice, inspiration, comment, ski, cruise and more.

11:40 AM

P&O Cruises sees "overwhelming" boom in bookings

P&O Cruises, Britain's biggest cruise line, say they have attracted an “overwhelming” number of bookings for its summer season of coastal cruises, reports Benjamin Parker.

The three-, four- and seven-night cruises, which only went on sail yesterday morning, will sail on the line's flagship ship, Britannia, and new vessel Iona from Southampton between June and September. They will only be open to UK residents who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and won't stop at any ports.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “It is very demonstrable evidence that a holiday at sea, with all that it has to offer, is a popular and much longed-for option this summer.

"We always hoped that these domestic cruises would be popular, given the uncertainty around holidays abroad, but we have never before seen such significant and immediate demand and it certainly shows the effects of lockdown and everyone's need for a holiday. Many thousands of guests have already made bookings and Iona's maiden voyage to the Scottish islands is already very well sold and will be a very special cruise."

11:33 AM

Comment: Indefinitely sealing our borders shut is not an option

"Who is running the country?" asks Charles Levinson.

"Is it the elected politicians or is it the scientists advising them? Those lines have been blurred beyond recognition over the last 12 months and a complicated precedent has been set which ultimately suits both parties. Medical and scientific advisors hold far more power than the average MP, and Ministers are able to hide behind that dreadful excuse of ‘following the science’.

"Politicians need to make one thing abundantly clear – they are in charge. Avoiding responsibility in a pandemic may seem appealing, but we need clarity and we need leadership. Conflicting messages from official Government advisors speaking ‘in a personal capacity’ which generate media storms do not help and just add to the confusion."

Read the full comment piece, here.

11:31 AM

'Stanley Johnson Clause' to allow overseas travel for foreign homes sales

A loophole dubbed the "Stanley Johnson clause" will allow overseas travel in connection with foreign homes, despite holidays being banned under coronavirus rules to be voted on by MPs.

Under the rules people leaving England for a foreign holiday could face a £5,000 fine but an exemption dubbed will allow trips for the "purchase, sale, letting or rental of a residential property".

The Prime Minister's father was criticised last July after it emerged he had travelled to Greece to visit his mountain villa despite Government advice urging Britons against all but essential international travel.

He argued that he was on "essential business trying to Covid-proof my property in view of the upcoming letting season".

11:09 AM

New law creates "additional worry" for holidaymakers

Travel Insurance Expert at Confused.com, Jac Morris says the extension of the travel ban is creating additional worry for holidaymakers:

“Our research found that over half (53%) of people said they would consider going overseas if the government said it was safe to do so, but with the introduction of a hefty fine the reality of holidays abroad is looking bleak.

“With almost a third (30%) of people already confused about how the coronavirus could impact their travel insurance, this new law creates additional worry for holidaymakers looking to plan for the summer.

“As plans are constantly changing, it’s important to check providers’ guidance before making a purchase or claim."

10:53 AM

Travel shares tumble on foreign holiday ban extension

Airlines, travel agents and hotel groups are getting hammered for a second straight day after the Government extended the ban of foreign holidays until the end of June.

So far this week, shares British Airways parent IAG and easyJet have plunged by a tenth.

easyJet shares have plummeted by a tenth - Bloomberg

Ministers are increasingly worried about a recent spike in cases on the Continent and the threat of virus mutations affecting the vaccine roll-out.

IAG -4.4pc
EasyJet -4.1pc
Ryanair -3.6pc
TUI -3.7pc
InterContinental Hotels Group -1.4pc

Follow all the latest on our Business Blog, here.

10:45 AM

A year ago I wanted to flee Britain for Germany – not any longer

"A year ago, while Boris Johnson crawled towards lockdown with almost unbearable jokes and shocking slowness, Europe was already closing down. While 250,000 spectators were watching the racing at Cheltenham, in Bergamo military transporters were driving the coffins of Covid dead as justified panic spread from Madrid to Warsaw.

"At the time, I was deeply grateful to be reassured by my employers that, if it came to it, I would be able to relocate from London to Germany. Those weeks of March and April last year felt scary. Even more so as, back home, the German authorities quickly had an impressive test and trace system up and running.

My home country has been forced to reverse an easing of the restrictions - the fear is back among many Germans

"While Boris warned about the UK’s 4,000 intensive care beds being overwhelmed, Germany, with 28,000 ICU beds, had an enviable level of capacity. Barely two months into the lockdown, Great Britain had the most Covid deaths in Europe. Time and again I was asked by British friends how Germany had cracked it.

"A year later, this picture has been reversed."

Read Stefanie Bolzen's article, here.

10:36 AM

Your views

Do you think we should open up our borders on May 17? Or should we batten down the hatches and wait for Europe to get through its 'third wave'?

Comment at the bottom of this article to share your views.

10:26 AM

One year into the pandemic, the pound is up 9% on the euro

Ian Strafford Taylor, CEO at travel money specialist FairFX said: “Today marks one full year since the UK went into lockdown and the travel industry ground to a halt, sending the pound plummeting to its lowest rate against the euro in over 10 years.

“It’s promising to see that today the pound is up by 9% against the euro compared to this time last year, but we’ve still got a long way to go until we come close to pre-Brexit highs when the pound was up at 1.30 against the euro.

10:22 AM

Hancock talks to Spanish counterpart to discuss 'safe travel'

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had spoken to his Spanish counterpart on Monday about whether travel in a safe way was possible.

Regarding a potential block on vaccine exports by the EU, he told BBC Breakfast: "It is ultimately an international system - the development of vaccines - and there are parts made in different countries across the world, and countries really need to work together on this, I'd urge everybody to work together on it.

"That's the approach that we've taken, and we're working with colleagues obviously in America, on the continent, in India, right around the world to try to develop as many as vaccines as possible, as fast as possible, and I think that that, rather than throwing up borders, is the best approach to delivering as many vaccines globally as we possibly can."

10:14 AM

Belgium discovers new African variant

Belgian scientists have discovered a new variant of coronavirus, which is believed to have originated in sub-Saharan Africa, reports James Crisp.

Liège University researchers spotted the variant, which is called B.1.214 of Spike Insertion, because of a mutation which had never been seen in Belgium before, broadcaster VRT reported.

The new variant is no more dangerous than existing ones active in Belgium. 4 percent of infections are blamed on it, which is about the same as the Brazilian and South African variants.

Parc Of Cinquantenaire, Brussels - Getty

“The variant is gaining ground in Belgium and especially around Brussels, in Flemish Brabant and Hainault”, Professor Vincent Bours, a genetics expert, said.

“The variant’s ancestry still needs to be established, but it may have originated in sub-Saharan Africa and may have arrived here as a result of travel.”

09:52 AM

How to explore the wonders of Europe without leaving British soil

We retain hope at Telegraph Travel that travel to Europe will be possible this summer – after all, millions of us went there last summer, when the vaccine was just a glint in Matt Hancock’s eye, writes Oliver Smith.

However, there are dark forces at play that would use the hypothetical threat of vaccine-busting variants to keep you from that hard-earned and thoroughly deserved week in the Med. Therefore, a British back-up plan might be wise.

Fortunately, our islands offer a few fine alternatives to Europe’s holiday wonders, such as:

Swap Venice for… Bourton-on-the-Water

Swap the Amalfi Coast for... Portmeirion

Swap Iceland for… Skye

Read the full feature, here.

09:39 AM

Comment: If the vaccine isn't enough to let us leave the country, what is?

So which one is it? Are we a country which is moving towards mass immunisation – and is highly proud of this – or one that needs to hide behind or under the sofa for another year?

Chris Leadbeater explores this very question.

09:30 AM

Should you book your holiday now? Or wait?

Our consumer travel expert, Nick Trend, says we shouldn't automatically assume foreign holidays are dead in the water this year.

From the consumer’s point of view the latest developments may not feel very optimistic, but they don’t represent the whole picture and we shouldn’t automatically assume that foreign holidays are definitely dead in the water this year. There is no doubt that concern about variants are an important part of the Taskforce’s remit, but the situation remains extremely fluid. There are still three weeks to go before the report is due and eight weeks before May 17. A huge amount can change in that time.

The news in this country, for all the ups and downs of vaccine supply, remains on a positive curve. And there are good reasons to be optimistic that Europe will get its latest wave under control as its inoculation programme develops. We also don’t yet have clarity on how effective current vaccines are against known variants – perhaps there will be good news on that front.

So overall, although the situation feels less hopeful than last week, it still seems feasible that travel to some overseas destinations will be possible at some point in the late spring or summer. But it is probably wise to follow government advice and remain patient for just a little longer. By all means dream, research, and even plan your summer break, but don’t actually book it until we know the results of the Taskforce report on or soon after April 12.

Read the full advice piece, here.

09:27 AM

Indonesia further opens up to Singapore travellers

Indonesia has added Batam and Bantam to its 'travel corridor' arrangement with Singapore, meaning foreign visitors will be able to visit the resort islands for the first time during the pandemic, according to Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno.

Tourism sites in Nongsa in Batam and Lagoi in Bintan will reopen on April 21, with strict restrictions in place, Uno said.

Arrivals will need to prove evidence of a negative PCR test, and undergo another test on arrival.

Overseas visitors to the islands of Batam and Bintan fell by 86% last year, which cut income for the food and accommodation sectors in the area by 41%.

09:16 AM

No plans to add Europe to travel red list

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there were currently no plans to put all of Europe on the travel "red list" amid a third wave of cases seen in countries such as France and Italy.

As a month-long lockdown returned to several French regions including Paris, health minister Lord Bethell raised the prospect of having to "red-list all of our European neighbours".

Paris has re-entered a month-long lockdown - Getty

Mr Hancock told LBC: "We don't have any plans to do that.

"We do have this red list and the amber list, and at the moment that is working well, so we don't have plans to do that."

09:14 AM

The holiday 'traffic light system' explained

At this very moment, the rules are straightforward: you are not allowed to travel overseas for non-essential reasons.

But this could soon change. As part of the road map issued last month the Prime Minister said that May 17 is the earliest date that we will get away. On April 12, a newly reformed Global Travel Taskforce will report on whether it is safe to do so by May 17. This, Government ministers have confirmed, could override the extension of the travel ban until June 30, which is for "legislative convenience".

We now know that the taskforce is considering a ‘traffic light system’, labelling countries as green (no restrictions), amber (open, but with quarantine and test requirements) and red (banned entirely, or hotel quarantine on return).

Here, we predict which countries might be green lit this summer.

09:06 AM

How are cases and deaths in the UK looking?

Here's the situation, as Boris Johnson says it's only a matter of time until the third wave will "wash up on our shores"

08:58 AM

What do the new travel regulations say?

The new border restrictions state that no one may "leave England to travel to a destination outside the United Kingdom, or travel to, or be present at, an embarkation point for the purpose of travelling from there to a destination outside the United Kingdom" without a reasonable excuse.

As well as the £5,000 fine, there is also a £200 fixed penalty notice for failing to fill in a travel declaration form – giving your details and reason for travel – for those planning to leave the UK. Police can check the permits, issue fines for breaches and demand evidence such as an employer’s letter.

08:51 AM

Germany in 'serious situation' as it extends lockdown

Germany is extending its lockdown until April 18 and calling on citizens to stay at home for five days over the Easter holidays to try to break a third wave of the pandemic, Angela Merkel said on Tuesday.

In talks that ran deep into the night, the German Chancellor pushed the leaders of the 16 states to take a tougher stance to fight the pandemic, reversing plans for a gradual re-opening of the economy agreed earlier this month after a sharp rise in the infection rate.

People take part in a demonstration demanding government to build a strategy for public to travel safely at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin - Getty

"We are now in a very serious situation," she told a news conference, adding that Germany was in a race against time to vaccinate its population against the coronavirus.

Germany started cautiously easing restrictions earlier this month. But the spread of more infectious variants of the virus has pushed up cases, prompting concerns that hospitals could soon be overstretched without further curbs. More than 3,000 people with Covid-19 were in intensive care beds as of Sunday.

08:47 AM

Third wave could come to UK in summer, says Sage member

There is a "likelihood" of a third wave of coronavirus in the summer, a member of the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) has said.

Professor Calum Semple told Sky News: "The concern at present is that in countries where there's less vaccination and a very strong third wave, that's the perfect breeding ground for further variants of concern.

"So, at this point, Britain has got its act together, the concern is as this third wave is going on elsewhere, that will generate new variations.

"Even within Britain there is a likelihood of a third wave in potentially July and August time when we do unlock society.

"That third wave we would expect to occur in people that are less susceptible to very severe disease.

"It's inevitable as we unlock there will be an rise in cases, the key here is have we won the race to vaccinate the most vulnerable members of society so we can keep society open this time."

08:45 AM

BA and easyJet axe flights amid 'third wave' fears

British Airways and other airlines are axing summer holiday flights as a health minister raised the prospect that European countries could face a "red list" travel ban.

On Monday, BA confirmed that, in the past week, it has cancelled summer flights across Europe and on UK domestic routes, including in July and August, amid fears there may be only be a handful of countries on the "green list" when foreign travel is due to resume from May 17.

Lord Bethell, a health minister, told the Lords that surging Covid rates in European states, with up to 10 per cent linked to new variants, could require drastic measures.

Millions were wiped off the share price of airlines and travel firms following Ben Wallace's warning that it was "premature" to book holidays now - Getty

"We are all aware that the possibility lies that we will have to 'red list' all of our European neighbours," he said.

"But that would be done with huge regret, because we are a trading nation, we do work in partnership with other countries. We depend on other countries for essential supplies, not only medicines, but food and others."