Business travel exemptions

The Government announced last week a limited number of exemptions for passengers arriving into England, including for business travellers who meet a set of required criteria.

Individuals undertaking specific business activity which would deliver a significant benefit to the UK economy – including activity that creates or preserves 50+ UK jobs – will no longer need to self-isolate when travelling or returning from non-exempt countries.

Reaction has been mixed, whilst universally welcomed questions have been raised for those who don’t meet the requirements.  For a business a complex form completion has to be negotiated, but a journalist only needs a recognised press card, a commission, and the usual need to complete a passenger locator form.  Many specialised sectors are recognised.

Clive Wratten, CEO of the Business Travel Association said: “The announcement that Government-selected categories of business travellers returning to the UK are exempt from quarantine is a step in the right direction.

“However, business travel takes many forms and all should be exempt.

“Engineers, humanitarian workers, retail buyers and many other professionals travelling for work are all crucial to the UK economy.”

Abby Penston, CEO of Focus Travel Partnership, which is a leading business travel consortium for the independent and SME sector and has 60 members had praise but with reservations.
 
She said: “It was good to see the Transport Secretary’s tweet that business travellers will be exempt from quarantine. It is exactly what the business travel sector needs at this time and is welcome. But there is a catch – it only applies to ‘high value’ business travellers.

“We represent 60 business travel management companies in the SME sector who typically turn over £1bn a year and look after the travel arrangements of thousands of business travellers from all industry sectors including oil rig workers, construction engineers, charity workers and manufacturers as well as people within the arts, media and journalism.
 
“Unfortunately the new rule does not include those in middle management or even those representing small businesses, which fuel this economy and will be key to unlocking recovery.”

The BBGA, representing the executive jet market had no qualms over the restrictive nature of the new regulations.  “These new exemptions are welcomed as we take steps back to normality. We are pleased to see that the Government has highlighted senior executives that can create or preserve UK jobs and add value to the UK economy,” said Sean Raftery, BBGA Board Member and Managing Director of Universal Aviation UK.

The Government list

https://focustravel.uk      https://bbga.aero

www.thebta.org.uk

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All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Albert Smith, Dundee

I took a look at the government list. Why was this not done in the first place!