THE MP for Thurrock, Jackie Doyle Price rose on the floor of the House of Commons to ask a number of questions on cruising and covid.
She asked:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of amending his Department’s covid-19 advice on travel for cruising so that it aligns with advice for the aviation sector.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to remove his Department’s advice against travelling on cruises for countries that are given green status under the covid-19 traffic light system.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether countries given green status under the covid-19 traffic light system will be open to cruise travel as well as aviation.
Robert Courts Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) replied:
The Global Travel Taskforce (GTT) report confirms that international cruises will restart alongside the wider restart of international travel in line with the “traffic light” system. Operators will need to take account of the country traffic light system when planning itineraries.
The restart of international cruises will be subject to continued satisfactory evidence from domestic restart and cruising in other countries. This will be considered at each of the GTT checkpoint reviews, with the next taking place on 28 June. International restart is also subject to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UK government and industry covering the cost and liabilities of repatriation.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice is a separate matter for the Foreign Secretary. My officials and I continue to work closely with the cruise industry, the FCDO, UK Health Security Agency and across Government to ensure a safe restart of international cruises from the UK.
