Covid: Ryanair and Manchester Airports Group ‘to take legal action over travel traffic light system’

The legal action will call for greater transparency over how the Government decides which countries qualify for the travel green list.
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Ryanair and the owner of Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports are reportedly preparing to launch legal action against the Government over its international travel traffic light system.

The legal action will call for greater transparency over how Whitehall decides which countries qualify for the green list, the BBC said.

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The legal action will call for greater transparency over how the Government decides which countries qualify for the travel green list. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)The legal action will call for greater transparency over how the Government decides which countries qualify for the travel green list. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
The legal action will call for greater transparency over how the Government decides which countries qualify for the travel green list. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
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So it turns out a traffic light system for foreign travel isn’t a great idea. Wh...

At a glance: 5 key points

- An industry body warned on June 9 the “failed and damaging” system for international travel must be abandoned if the UK travel and tourism sector is to be saved from total collapse.

- The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) said the Government must scrap the system, which has “wreaked havoc” among consumers and businesses, in order to save hundreds of thousands of jobs.

- Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said the “stop, go, stop, go approach to travel is bonkers”.

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- It comes as officials consider proposals that could allow Britons who have had both coronavirus vaccine doses to avoid having to quarantine when returning from countries on the amber list, according to reports in The Daily Telegraph.

- A Government spokeswoman confirmed work had begun to “consider the role of vaccinations” for inbound travel following the continued success of the jab’s rollout.

What’s been said

“It’s typical of Boris Johnson’s Government, just making this stuff up as they go along.

“There is no green list.

“What we keep calling for in the travel industry is, now that we have 80% of the adult population of Britain vaccinated, why can’t those people go on holidays to Portugal and Spain without restrictions? They’re already vaccinated.”

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary talking to Sky News

Background

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Foreign destinations have been ranked under a traffic light system, with fewer restrictions tied to the places boasting the lowest coronavirus rates and high vaccination take-up.

Countries have been graded either green, amber or red, according to how well they are coping with the pandemic.

Passengers are required to take PCR tests before leaving and before returning, sparking concerns that some holidaymakers are being priced out of travel.

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