TIER UPDATE 19 July 2021

Today the Prime Minister held a press conference with Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van Tam. The Prime Minister spoke about the move to step 4 in England and the importance of the test, trace and isolate system in identifying people who are more likely to be infected. He also mentioned that some of life’s most important pleasures and opportunities are likely to be increasingly dependent on vaccination. There are already countries that require you to be double-jabbed as a condition of quarantine-free travel and that list seems likely to grow. He then went on to express the concern of the UK Government by the continuing risk posed by nightclubs, asking them ‘to do the socially responsible thing and make use of the NHS Covid Pass which shows proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity – as a means of entry.’

He reiterated that the Government reserves the right to mandate certification at any point and gave notice now that by the end of September - when all over 18s will have had the chance to be double jabbed – of the intention to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather. At this point proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.

Read his full statement as well as the press release issued earlier regarding England’s move to step 4 in its roadmap.

Updated guidance on the requirements to provide public health information to passengers travelling to England Guidance on the requirements to provide public health information to passengers travelling to England has been updated. Transport operators are required to ensure that passengers travelling to England by sea, air or rail from outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) are provided with information about coronavirus, and related duties and public health guidance. From 4am 19 July 2021 changes are being made to information to be provided at stages 1 to 3 of the passenger journey and the on- board announcement. Operators should begin to use the new prescribed messaging as soon as possible. A reasonable timeframe for implementation is permitted.

Safe use and management of outdoor public places in England

Advice for local authorities, owners and operators in England has been published to support the safe use and management of outdoor public places, such as urban centres, green spaces, outdoor playgrounds, outdoor gyms, tourist hotspots (including beaches, the countryside and coastal areas) while the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains.

Welsh Government Written Statement on testing requirements following international travel

A statement has been published from the Minister for Health and Social Services for the Welsh Government, Elune Morgan MS, regarding the international travel restrictions. The advice continues to be not to travel overseas unless it is essential.

Additional restrictions for passengers returning to the UK from France The amber list rules for fully UK vaccinated people do not apply to France. Anyone who has been in France in the 10 days before arriving in England must follow the amber list rules for people who are not fully UK vaccinated. This means they must quarantine for 10 days on arrival in the UK and take day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests. The tests need to be booked in advance.

Other travel restriction news

 From today, passengers arriving in Ireland from outside the EU+ Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (which includes Great Britain) do not need to test or quarantine if they have proof of vaccination or of recovery from COVID in the past 180 days. Arrivals who do not have valid proof of vaccination or recovery will need to: o Present evidence of a negative result from a RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into the country o self-quarantine for 14 days o if a negative result is received from a RT-PCR test taken from day 5 onwards after arrival into Ireland, the passenger will be able to leave quarantine  From today, the UK has been added to Bulgaria’s red list. Arrival from the UK will only be permitted for Bulgarian citizens and long-term residents  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the UK to the highest threat level – Level 4: Very High and advised Americans against travelling to the UK.

Other news  Advice on the new rules passengers arriving into England from Amber countries has been added across the following pages: o Foreign travel insurance page o Travel abroad from England during coronavirus o Testing before you travel to England o Red, amber and green list rules for entering England. o Test to release for international travel o Quarantine and testing if you’ve been in an amber list country o Travel to England from another country during coronavirus o Jobs that qualify for travel exemption

 Guidance reflecting the change to step 4 in England has been updated on the following pages: o How to stay safe and prevent the spread of coronavirus o Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS test and trace o Safer travel guidance for passengers who are walking, cycling and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak. The safer transport guidance for operators has also been updated. o Safer aviation guidance for operators and for passengers. o Guidance to help inform the planning and business operations as per step 4 of grassroots sport participants, providers and facility operators. o Domestic cruise ship travel o Wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, receptions and celebrations in England.

 Following the move to alert level 1 in Wales on 17 July, the Welsh Government has published advice on gathering with other people.  The visa concession has ended for those outside the UK and their leave has expired before there are able to return.  New statistics have been published on the impact of coronavirus on UK hospitality between January 2020 to June 2021.

TOURISM ALLIANCE UPDATE 19/07

 Announcements of Covid Passports For Large Crowed Settings and Testing As An Alternative To Self-Isolation Nadhim Zahawi has announced that Government will require people to be fully vaccinated to attend "large crowded settings" such as nightclubs from the end of September once all over-18s have had the chance to receive both vaccine doses and develop immunity. He also announced that the Government is going to extend the scheme allowing people who are fully vaccinated to use regular testing as an alternative to isolation if they have been in contact with someone testing positive in order to reduce problems businesses are experiencing regarding the number of staff that are able to come into work. However, he suggested that this would be restricted to people who provide a vital public service, like air traffic controllers and train station managers. I will send round details on these announcements when they are published.

 Coronavirus Impact on Hospitality ONS has published research on the impact of coronavirus on the hospitality sector from January 2020 to the end of May 2021. Some of the key findings from the study are: o The sector has been one of the hardest hit with spending still 30% down o There is significant variation within the sector (bars and clubs have been significantly impacted while campsites have fared relatively well) o The number of employees remains 11% below Feb 2020 levels o 590,000 employees remained on furloughed at the end of May 2021 o Only 14% of pubs and bars and only 15% of licensed restaurants reported that they had "high" confidence that they would survive the next three months. This compares to 47% for all businesses. o 47% of accommodation businesses said that they were confident that they would survive the next three months (equalling the all business average). https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/articles /coronavirusanditsimpactonukhospitality/january2020tojune2021

 Managing Public Outdoor Settings MHCLG has published new guidance for local authorities and the owners and operators of lands open to the public on how to manage these settings in a covid-safe manner. The guidance covers o urban centres o green spaces o outdoor playgrounds o outdoor gyms o tourist hotspots, including beaches, the countryside and coastal areas

The guidance covers issues such as hygiene, toilets, holding events, the use of marshals, dealing with anti-social behaviour, car parking, beach safety and waste management. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-public-places-managing-public- outdoor-settings

 Test And Trace Update The Test and Trace guidance has been updated in line with the move to Step 4 including the removal of the requirement for businesses to display and use QR codes. However it is important to note that it is still a legal requirement for people to self-isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 or are identified as a contact and told to self-isolate by Test and Trace. Failure to do so can still result in a fine, starting from £1,000.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works

 Announcement On Vaccination For Vulnerable Young People The government has announced that young people aged 12 to 15 with severe neuro- disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, immunosuppression and multiple or severe learning disabilities, as well as people who are household contacts of individuals who are immunosuppressed, will be eligible for vaccination soon. However, the Government does not plan to vaccinate those aged under-18s without underlying health conditions at this stage https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-offering-covid-19-vaccines-to-at-risk- young-people

 Wedding Guidance Updated The guidance on holding weddings has been updated in line with the move to Step 4. The new guidance is: o There are no legal restrictions on the number of people that can attend a wedding, civil partnership, reception or celebration. o Legal requirements for no longer apply and you do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with. o Face coverings are no longer required by law in any setting. However, the government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport. o COVID-secure rules, including table service requirements and restrictions on singing and dancing, no longer apply. However, there are steps everyone should continue to consider to reduce the risk of transmission, which are explained in this guidance. All businesses should follow the principles set out in the working safely guidance. o If someone has been instructed by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate because they have tested positive for COVID-19, or they’re the close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they must still self-isolate and not attend.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-wedding-and-civil-partnership- ceremonies-receptions-and-celebrations

 Public Guidance Updated In line with the move to Step 4 today, the Government has updated the primary guidance to the public on the measures that are still in place and what people should do to stay safe. This used to be the “What You Can and Cannot Do” guidance but has been renamed “Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread” to reflect the fact that there are now very few legal requirements outside overseas travel. The guidance to the public is: o In order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually. This includes minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts. o You should meet outdoors where possible and let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces. o The Government expects and recommends a gradual return to work over the summer. o The Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport. o You should follow guidance for weddings and funerals to reduce risk and protect yourself and others. o COVID-19 has not gone away, so it’s important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot- do

 Change to Amber List Rules The rules related to arriving in England from Amber List countries has changed today for UK residents returning to England that have been vaccinated in the UK. The new rules are: Before you travel to England you must: o take a COVID-19 test – children aged 10 and under do not need to take this test o book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test – to be taken after arrival in England o complete a passenger locator form

You will need to: o declare that you have been fully UK vaccinated on your passenger locator form, or are taking part or have taken part in a formally approved UK COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial for COVID-19 vaccine, or you are under 18 and resident in the UK o show proof of your vaccination status to your carrier (ferry, airline or train) when you travel

It is important to note that those who are not fully vaccinated, or are returning from France, will need to continue under the old rules - quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days and take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8, or undertake Test to Release after 5 days. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england#amber- list-rules-if-you-are-fully-uk-vaccinated

 Guidance on Volunteers Updated Another piece of guidance that has been updated today is that applying to organisations that employ volunteers. This guidance has been updated to bring it into line with Step 4 in terms of encouraging people to volunteer at work rather than from home but, in doing so, pointing out to “employers” that their duty of care on the work premises extends to volunteers as well as staff. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/enabling-safe-and-effective-volunteering-during-coronavirus- covid-19

 Safer Aviation Guidance Updated The safer aviation guidance has been updated to highlight that social distancing still applies between disembarkation and border control at ports of entry into England. The guidance on facemasks has also been updated to say that the Government still expects and recommends that people wear face coverings at airports and on public or international transport.

It also states that airports and airlines are free to determine their own face coverings policy based on their health and safety risk assessments and that customers should follow the rules and guidance set by transport operators during all stages of their journey. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-aviation-guidance-for-operators

 Cruise Ship Guidance Updated The guidance on undertaking a cruise has been updated to reflect the move to Step 4, meaning that social distancing requirements no longer apply on domestic cruises. For cruise trips between the different Home nations, the advice is: o Check that the cruise activity is permitted in the UK nations you plan to visit. o Ensure that you understand the relevant public health and pre-travel information about mitigating the risk of COVID-19 that your travel agent or cruise operator provides at the time of booking. o Get travel insurance, and make sure you are content with the level of cover it provides. If you already have travel insurance check it is valid and provides appropriate cover. o Familiarise yourself with the UK Chamber of Shipping COVID-19 guidance for passengers.

However, it should be noted that the FCDO is still advising against international cruise travel. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-cruise-ship-travel