UK travel restart puts border control upgrades to the test

The UK’s decision to ease travel restrictions later this month will test changes to a border-control apparatus that failed to keep up with surging passenger volumes during an initial reopening in May. The government said Thursday that it would lift a quarantine requirement on vaccinated residents returning from medium-risk destinations starting July 19, including most of Europe and the US. The long-awaited move promises to spur airline travel, as British tourists gain confidence they can plan trips without holing up at home for 10 days when they get back. While welcome for travelers, the move puts the spotlight on border systems that were stressed by a dramatic increase in people passing through when the country first lifted a ban on most overseas travel. Backups reached several hours as border guards took time to inspect Covid-19 test documents, while faster e-gates were sidelined and social distancing requirements limited the number of desks that could be open at one time. “Border Force have assured us that they can manage an increase in demand and it’s up to them to deliver,” said Weston Macklem, a spokesman for London Heathrow airport. “It’s not going to look great for them if over the summer people get these new freedoms but have to wait in massive queues.” Since May, the agency has increased staffing at airports, partly by bringing people back from retirement and reallocating other tasks, said Lucy Moreton, a spokeswoman for the Immigration Services Union, which represents border agents. It’s also set to remove the social-distancing requirements for staff from July 19, opening up more kiosks.<br/>