Brittany Ferries has called for a “re-think on travel corridors” in the wake of the UK government’s successful vaccination programme.
The company is calling for reciprocal travel corridors – in the case of Brittany Ferries “sea lanes” – to France and Spain, the top two destinations for British holidaymakers, “because the majority of adults are likely to have been vaccinated and infection rates are expected to have continued their downward trend as a consequence.”
“Vaccine roll-out is moving apace in the UK, thanks to the NHS, volunteers and support of the armed forces,” said Christophe Mathieu Brittany Ferries CEO. “While France and Spain are a little behind, the ramp-up is gaining significant momentum. We all believe that vaccines are the way out of this dreadful crisis. So by spring we think there will be a clear case for the adoption of vaccination-led travel corridors – or in our case sea lanes – that allow holidays to go ahead this summer and for hope to return.”
In France, health minister Olivier Véran confirmed that four million people would be vaccinated by the end of February, rising to 43 million by the end of June. That means around 80 per cent of the adult population in Brittany Ferries’ most popular destination should be vaccinated well ahead of the summer holiday season.
“Now is the time for optimism, not a shutdown on the summer getaway. Lockdown Britons should look forward to holiday with growing confidence – and the time is ripe for a re-think on travel corridor policy. We should all be encouraged to book with companies that offer flexible travel, allowing easy amendments or refunds, in the event that the situation changes in the months ahead.” Christophe Mathieu, Brittany Ferries CEO
Brittany Ferries says that reciprocal travel corridors based on a combination of high vaccination rates and low infections, would offer a clear pathway towards a morale-boosting holiday, supporting the wellbeing of the nation. It is suggested that these measures could be supported by testing, and (potentially) vaccine passports.
