UK: Regional 'air bridges' considered by Government to prevent placing an entire country in quarantine

Regional “air bridges” are being considered by the Government to allow travel to countries such as Portugal and the US and stop entire nations being subject to UK quarantine rules. The Department for Transport has told industry they are an option to create travel corridors with low-risk regions. Ministers are also exploring plans to test passengers for Covid-19 before or on arrival at UK airports to open travel with major trade partners like the US. They are expected to be part of the second review of quarantine, due on Monday, when Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, will reveal if more destinations will be added to the 74 countries and territories exempt from the 14-day quarantine. Portugal, which remains banned, has seen its cases reduce to 135 a day, the least since May 11. The Algarve, Madeira and the Azores are virtually clear but outbreaks in Lisbon have pushed its national rate to 45.57 cases per 100,000, above the rate for a national air bridge. Spain has been hit by outbreaks in Catalonia, Aragon and the Basque country pushing cases to 4,581, the highest since April and a national rate of 27.39 cases per 100,000. “Regional air bridges are an option for countries with localised outbreaks,” said a source. “The US is a major issue. If you judge it nationally, the absence of travel could go on for months, which is where individual testing of arrivals could work.” <br/>