All Covid19 travel restrictions removed in the UK

THE Government will remove the remaining restrictions on international travel for all passengers ahead of the Easter Holidays, the Transport Secretary announced. As 1 of the 1st major economies to remove all its remaining Covid19 travel restrictions, this is a landmark moment for passengers and the travel and aviation sector.

From 4am, Friday, 18 March 2022, all COVID19 travel restrictions will be lifted, including the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) for arrivals into UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated. This change therefore removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-departure test and a Day 2 post arrival test.

This step reflects the decisions taken by the Government, as set out in the Living with Covid19 plan, and the success of the UK's vaccine and booster rollout, with 86% of the population having received a second dose, and 67% of the population with a booster or third dose.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:- "The UK is leading the world in removing all remaining COVID19 travel restrictions, and this announcement is a testament to the hard work everyone in this country has put in place to roll out the vaccine and protect each other. I said we wouldn't keep travel measures in place for any longer than necessary, which we're delivering on; providing more welcome news and greater freedom for travellers ahead of the Easter holidays. I look forward to continuing to work with the travel sector and partners around the world to keep international travel moving."

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:- "As we learn to live with Covid, we're taking further steps to open up international travel once again ahead of the Easter holidays. We will continue monitoring and tracking potential new variants and keep a reserve of measures which can be rapidly deployed if needed to keep us safe. We can remove these final restrictions thanks to the incredible success of our vaccination programme which has seen more than 8 out of 10 adults across the UK boosted."

To ensure the protection of public health the Government will maintain a range of contingency measures in reserve, which, should the need arise, would enable it to take swift and proportionate action to delay any future harmful variants of COVID19 entering the UK.

In future, the Government's default approach will be to use the least stringent measures, if appropriate, to minimise the impact on travel as far as possible; given the high personal, economic and international costs border measures can have; and the contingency measures will only be implemented in extreme circumstances.

Given the current state of the Pandemic and a move towards global travel volumes returning to normal, the remaining managed Hotel quarantine capacity will be fully stood down from the end of March.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK said:- "Today's announcement sends a clear message to the world; the UK travel sector is back. With travellers returning to the UK no longer burdened by unnecessary forms and testing requirements, we can now look forward to the return to pre-Covid normality throughout the travel experience. We're grateful for the timing of the announcement as we prepare to welcome back passengers this Easter and Summer, for which we know there is huge pent up demand, and for the UK's leadership in being the 1st major aviation market to remove all remaining restrictions. The time to return to the skies; to enjoy all that makes aviation and international travel great, for families and businesses, is now."

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of Airport Operators Association said:- "A return to restriction-free travel is good news for passengers and should allow for aviation to take significant steps towards recovery. People should feel encouraged to book their long awaited holidays, trips to see relatives and friends abroad they haven't seen for a long time and travel to rekindle business ties with other countries."

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said:- "2 years after the onset of the Covid19 Pandemic, this announcement marks international travel finally returning to normal. The removal of passenger locator forms and testing regimes means that customers can at long last enjoy hassle-free travel, just like they did before the Pandemic. With Easter just around the corner and Summer fast approaching, this announcement comes at the perfect time. Since restrictions started to be eased at the beginning of the year, we have experienced strong, sustained demand and the complete removal of forms and requirements will boost that demand even further."

Additionally, the UKHSA will continue to closely monitor the prevalence and spread of harmful variants and keep international data under review.

While there will be no border health measures on arrival in the UK from 18 March, other countries are at different stages in the Pandemic and many still require passengers to comply with requirements.

Travellers should continue to check GOV.UK travel guidance including:- Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice to keep up to date with other countries' entry requirements.

Passengers are also encouraged to carefully check booking conditions for flexibility in amending bookings prior to buying tickets. People will continue to be able to access their vaccine and recovery records through the NHS COVID Pass to use when travelling overseas.

More than 370 Museum and Galleries eligiable for DCMS/Wolfson Fund

MUSEUMS and galleries across England are being encouraged to apply for a share of ₤4 million of new funding to improve displays, protect collections and make exhibitions more accessible to visitors. The cash boost has been added to the joint DCMS/Wolfson Fund as the fund marks 20 years of the 2 organisations working together to support the arts and culture. Both DCMS and the Wolfson Foundation will contribute an extra ₤2 million through their partnership as the Government ramps up its plans to level up access to the arts and culture by improving collections and exhibitions in museums and galleries across the country.

Over the last 20 years the fund has awarded ₤48 million to over 400 projects at museums and galleries, with organisations including Manchester Museum and the Oriental Museum in Durham receiving grants to improve entrances and display exhibits in accessible ways. Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:- "This is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when public funding and private philanthropy come together. I encourage organisations from every part of the country to apply so we can support even more museums and galleries to make sure everyone has access to the incredible benefits of art and culture."

Chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation, Paul Ramsbottom added:- "The collections of our outstanding museums and galleries tell us so much about our shared history and heritage. For over 20 years, we have worked with DCMS to support an impressive range of institutions to improve access to fascinating objects and art. We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with DCMS and to announce another round of funding. This support will allow museums and galleries to enhance the display and interpretation of their collections, giving greater access and enjoyment for visitors."

Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal, Lord Mendoza told us that:- "Museums and galleries work hard to serve communities across the country. This enduring and exemplary partnership between a leading charity and Government provides a specially targeted ₤4 million to help museums and their professional staff improve collections, interpretation and access. It is heartening to see the effects of the last round on a broad range of recipients from Tullie House in Carlisle to the Sunderland Museum to SS Great Britain in Bristol."

The partnership has led to fascinating collections previously not on display being shown. Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery in Carlisle recently received ₤252,500 to conserve and display 40 outfits for the 1st time as part of a fashion exhibition looking at styles from the 18th century.

The fund has acted as a catalyst to encourage people to learn about their local history. In 2005, Strangers' Hall in Norwich received ₤31,000 to develop an interactive exhibition for School children on the Tudors. Thanks to its success, the museum secured further funding which led to it being able to extend its opening hours and increase visitor numbers.

Reyahn King, Chief Executive, York Museums Trust said:- "DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund grants have supported us to carry out transformative work to our museums and galleries. At the Yorkshire Museum, the installation of 'Jurassic Yorkshire' enabled us to mount a high quality, interactive and technologically creative suite of new permanent galleries that attracted more visitors than at any time since York Museums Trust was founded in 2002. Support for York Art Gallery's redevelopment in 2013 assisted us to hugely increase our display and exhibition space and establish CoCA, the Centre of Ceramic Art. We also received support towards our permanent 'Shaping the Body' exhibition at York Castle Museum, which examines our costume and social history collections through the contemporary lens of body image."

Sarah Newman, Manager, Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, also commented to us saying:- "At the Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, a Victorian villa overlooking the Bournemouth coast, we were awarded ₤115,174 by DCMS/Wolfson which enabled us to leverage further funding and deliver a major project to redisplay and reinterpret 3 historic rooms (two bedrooms and our unique 1920 Japanese museum in a museum). We have been able to create a new way of interacting with these once forgotten and out of date rooms. Visitors now appreciate these rooms for their original function and glorious views and regularly compliment us on it. It is no exaggeration to say that it has transformed our visitor experience, delivering a fitting and compelling experience, beyond even our expectations. It is wonderful that this particular funding stream has been renewed as it enables museums to make significant, sustainable capital improvements which can be step changing in their impact."

Kat Nilsson, Director of Museums and Cultural Programmes, UCL added:- "Thanks to the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, we now have a new entrance to the Petrie Museum of Egyptian and Sudanese Archaeology. It creates an accessible route in by giving context to this stunning collection."

Professor Stephen Toope, Vice-Chancellor, University Of Cambridge told us:-"On behalf of the University of Cambridge, I am delighted to celebrate the renewal of the DCMS-Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund. The extraordinary collections in UK museums and galleries are vital in helping us understand both ourselves and our place in the world. From our Museum of Zoology's invaluable record of life on earth to the remarkable collection of modern and contemporary art at Kettle's Yard, the University is committed to contributing to this store of knowledge. Renewing the Fund ensures this national heritage reaches the widest possible audience."