Travel, coronavirus: Plans afoot for air bridge from London to New York City

An "air bridge" between London and New York to enable travellers to sidestep quarantine is being discussed in top-level UK-US government talks, The Telegraph understands. Ministers are studying plans for regional air bridges that would enable business and other travellers to come to Britain from "low-risk" areas such as New York city within countries that are "red listed" because of their continued overall high coronavirus rates. New York, which introduced one of the toughest lockdowns, brought its seven-day infection rate down to just 7.2 cases per 100,000 - below England's 11.3 - yet it remains red listed forcing any American visitors to the UK to automatically quarantine for 14 days. "There are discussions going on at a very senior level around opening up London and New York. They are at a very early stage, but it is vital to get business going with a major trading partner, especially as we near Brexit," said a source. Last week Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, confirmed ministers were examining the possibility of "regional travel corridors" that could allow quarantine-free flights from low-risk areas within countries with high coronavirus rates. Asked about the US-UK talks, a Department for Transport spokesman said: "Conversations between governments in other countries on a whole range of issues take place regularly. Public health remains the UK's top priority and we are committed to tackling this virus while enabling a sustainable and responsible return to international travel."<br/>