Travellers face hefty fines for overseas trips under new Covid law

Saturday, 23 Mar, 2021 0

Would-be holidaymakers could be slapped with fines of £5,000 for travel abroad before the end of June.

Although the government is still reviewing whether international travel can resume in May, Health Minister Matt Hancock said travel fines could be imposed if the overseas travel ban has to be extended.

MPs will vote on the legislation later this week.

International leisure travel from England is currently banned until 17 May, subject to a review in April and ‘that has not changed,’ Hancock said.

Still, lockdown weary people and the travel industry fear the ban could be extended based on comments from officials over the past few days, as hopes fade for travel in mid-May.

Travel industry leaders say bookings for early summer have collapsed.

It has also spooked investors with the news hitting travel stocks hard.

Shares in easyJet, IAG, Jet2 and TUI all saw declines.

"The reason for that is that we are seeing this third wave rising in some parts of Europe and we’re also seeing new variants and it is very important that we protect the progress that we’ve been able to make here in the UK," Hancock said.

TravelMole Editorial Team

Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.

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