THE beleaguered travel sector has called on the Scottish Government to bail out its industry after France, Malta, the Netherlands and Monaco joined Spain and Portugal on the quarantine list.
The fresh restrictions were put in place after a spike in Covid-19 infections.
Joanne Dooey, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, told the Sunday National: “We’ve effectively seen an entire year of travel wiped out.
“Few, if any, are willing to travel with such uncertainty about which countries are on the ‘safe list’ at any given hour.”
Travel agents already hit by the lightning lockdown of Spain last month are now having to pick up the pieces after Thursday’s late night announcement that visitors had to return from these countries by 4am yesterday or face a two-week quarantine.
She added: “As an association we back all moves to keep individuals, and the wider country, safe. However, we’re hugely concerned about the lack of support for the travel sector throughout this pandemic.
“Travellers who are abroad in one of the newly removed ‘safe list’ countries, or who have a forthcoming booking, are relying on their travel agents to aid their return home or to process the cancellation of their holiday.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Prices soar amid rush to get back from France
“France is not a major package holiday destination for Scotland generally, but as city break destinations Paris and Amsterdam will cause immediate issues for travellers. Malta is a very popular destination for Scottish package holidays.
“Customer confidence in any form of travel is negligible at the moment. Without some form of urgent support for the travel sector, the whole industry is under threat.
“We need a credible system of regulated testing for those arriving in the country to help rebuild customer confidence.
“Outbound travel contributes £37.1 billion in gross value added (GVA) which amounts to around 1.8% of UK gross domestic product (GDP) and it directly sustains 221,000 jobs according to ABTA. These quarantine decisions are having a significant impact on the economy.
“Because of the unique business model on which travel is based, where the initial point of the contact for the customer is the last link in the chain to be paid, we’re urging the Scottish Government to consider sector specific support urgently.”
At least half a million British holidaymakers have been caught in France, and the lateness of the announcement there has seen a rush to the airports, the Channel Tunnel and coast.
There were reports too of increased air prices ahead of the deadline.
Holidaymakers to the Netherlands have also been caught out. Around 50,000 were in the country when the announcement was made. In Malta, there were thought to be 20,000 visitors from the UK holidaying there.
France indicated that it will impose a reciprocal quarantine for arrivals from the UK but it is hoped that this will follow the “voluntary quarantine” model.
Junior minister for European affairs, Clement Beaune, said: “We regret this British decision, which will lead to a reciprocal measure [in France], while hoping for a return to normal as quickly as possible.”
When the first UK quarantine was imposed, the French responded with voluntary quarantine which put the emphasis on the public’s “individual sense of responsibility and civic duty”.
READ MORE: Scotland adds France to quarantine list — what it means for holidaymakers
In practice this means that people still have freedom of movement but that they should avoid outings as much as possible and respect social distancing and safety guidelines.
Neither Malta nor the Netherlands operate a quarantine on British citizens.
Penalties for failing to comply with the quarantine rules for those returning from a country not on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office exempt list are £480 in Scotland.
Some travellers have been holidaying to non-exempt countries and accepting the quarantine rules on their return because they may be working from home anyway.
But there is a risk that tourists will not be covered by insurance against Covid-19 while out there.
Travel agents, airlines, ferries and rail firms are all holding their breath for now.
Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson said: “As a travel agency, we are advocates for safe and healthy travel but these blanket restrictions are not productive and urgently need reviewed.”
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