Wales will make own decision on air bridges as England drops quarantine rule for 60 nations

Wales will set out “its own approach” on foreign travel after holding off from supporting the UK Government’s ‘air bridge’ plan.

The Welsh Government has said it is yet to decide whether it will seek to emulate England and relax rules on people flying in and out of the country.

The UK Government’s Department for Transport said passengers returning to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland “should ensure they follow the laws and guidance which applies there”.

People arriving in England from countries like France, Spain, Germany and Italy will not need to quarantine from July 10, they confirmed.

A full list of countries which the UK Government says pose a “reduced risk” of Covid-19 will be published later today, and could feature as many as 60 nations.

The quarantine rule, which sees most of those entering the UK made to self-isolate for two weeks, has only been in place since the beginning of June.

The UK Government has planned a traffic light system, which classifies countries as green, amber or red depending on the prevalence of the coronavirus there.

The policy had created a row between the governments in Westminster and Holyrood after Mr Shapps yesterday tried to blame the Scottish administration for delaying its announcement.

 

‘Disappointing’

The Scottish Government says ministers are considering the public health impact of the changes, and will make decisions “based on scientific advice to protect communities in Scotland”.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “The UK Government’s latest plans for air bridges, released overnight, include countries which present differing levels of risk.

“Scottish ministers are actively considering the public health impact of these proposals, as well as the data and evidence underpinning them. Once they have done that they will announce any changes in relation to Scotland.

“It is disappointing that the UK Government have chosen to make an announcement on the countries they intend to exempt before a four-nations agreement has been reached.

“We would still like to reach a four-nations approach if possible but that is difficult when the UK Government change proposals and give us last-minute sight of them.”

In Wales, Ryanair ignored a call from the Welsh Government earlier this week to cancel flights from Spain and Portugal.

It said “hundreds of Welsh people” would be returning from nations with ‘R’ rates lower than the UK’s.

Cardiff Airport is owned by the Welsh Government, whose “stay local” rules end on 6 July.