Holiday boost as popular destination to finally scrap remaining Covid rules for travellers
HOLIDAYMAKERS hoping to head abroad this year have been given a boost as a popular destination has announced it will be scrapping the last of its Covid rules.
Most countries have removed all of the entry regulations that were initially put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19, but some rules remain in place.
However, from May 12, people heading to America will no longer have to show proof of vaccination, the last of the country’s entry requirements relating to the pandemic.
In a statement released yesterday (May 1), the United States government announced that the restrictions will remain in place until May 11, after which they will be scrapped.
It reads: “Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travellers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.”
The news has been greeted well by those within the travel industry, with the US a popular holiday destination.
Airline Virgin Atlantic said they expected their demand for flights to the States to be boosted as a result of the announcement.
A spokesperson said: “The relaxation of the vaccination requirement for foreign nationals removes barriers for frictionless travel to the USA, our heartland for nearly 40 years.
“It will give a boost to transatlantic customer demand as a busy summer approaches.
“Virgin Atlantic has now resumed services to all of its 12 transatlantic destinations, including new routes to Austin and Tampa and longstanding favourites New York, Orlando and Los Angeles.”
Virgin aren’t the only airline to be operating more flights to the US than before either.
Budget airline Norse Atlantic will be able to operate more flights from London Gatwick to New York after being given a foreign air carrier permit last year.
This led to more US destinations from London Gatwick including to LA, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale from earlier this year.
Norse chief executive Bjorn Tore Larsen said: “We are very thankful for the support that we have received on both sides of the Atlantic throughout our application.
“This milestone represents a huge step in creating competition in the transatlantic market that will benefit consumers, stimulate business travel and lead to job creation.
“We are pleased that we will continue to deliver on our pledge to democratise transatlantic travel and we look forward to expanding our point-to-point route network between and the US as part of our summer 2023 schedule.”
Meanwhile, this simple passport error left a woman in tears when she was prevented from boarding her flight.
And this easy mistake could get you banned from travelling with your children.
