ABTA has responded to the Prime Minister's announcement that all international arrivals will be required to take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative test.

An ABTA spokesperson said: “While ABTA understands that this is a rapidly evolving situation and public health must come first, the decision to require all arrivals to take a PCR test and self-isolate until a negative result is returned is a huge blow for travel businesses, many of whom were only just starting to get back on their feet after 20 months of severe restrictions.

"These changes will add cost to people’s holidays which will undoubtedly impact consumer demand and hold back the industry’s recovery, so it’s vital that this decision is kept under careful review and restrictions are lifted promptly if it becomes clear there is not a risk to the UK vaccination programme.

"The Government must also now consider offering tailored support for travel businesses, which have been amongst the hardest hit during the pandemic.”