The Global Travel Taskforce last week published its report on the resumption of travel that will come on or after 17 May as part of the third step of Government's roadmap for easing lockdown measures.

The Government's approach will include:

• A traffic light system, which will categorise countries based on risk alongside the restrictions required for travel
• A watchlist to identify countries that could move from green to amber level restrictions that will require travellers to self-isolate
• Passengers required to take tests before travel and in the days following their return
• Travellers to "red list" countries will continue to be required to book a 10-day hotel quarantine for their return to the UK

Responding to the report Bob Sanguinetti, UK Chamber of Shipping Chief Executive said:

“We welcome today’s announcement to restart international cruises alongside the wider resumption of international travel, in line with the “traffic light” system.

“This announcement is the culmination of extensive collaboration between industry, government, health authorities and ports during the last twelve months to further strengthen health measures, which now go beyond any other travel sector. The industry’s protocols have already been tried and tested as almost 400,000 people have sailed on cruises since last summer elsewhere around the globe.

“Today’s decision sends a signal of confidence in the industry and is a welcome boost to the thousands of people employed in the sector or whose livelihoods depend upon cruise, including travel agencies, hotels, tour guides, port operators and many other service providers up and down the country.”