11836595 HANDS OFF Brits should avoid taking hand luggage on planes and wear face masks in airports, warns govt

BRITS are being told to check in hand luggage and wear face masks at all times in airports under new Government guidance. People will also have to stay seated as much as possible during their flight as part of fresh rules to stop the spread of coronavirus on planes. The new rules are for all […]

BRITS are being told to check in hand luggage and wear face masks at all times in airports under new Government guidance.

People will also have to stay seated as much as possible during their flight as part of fresh rules to stop the spread of coronavirus on planes.

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The new rules are for all airlines to follow when it’s safe to do so again, which was issued by the government’s International Aviation Taskforce.

These include:

• Wear face coverings at the airport and on planes
• Check in online instead of at the airport desk
• Check in baggage and reduce hand luggage
• Enter the airport alone unless travelling with others
• Social distance at shops and Duty-Free
• Wash hands after touching shared items such as trays and trolleys
• Remain seated on flights and use contactless payment

At the moment only essential travel is allowed, the Government says, but Brits are still hopeful for a summer holiday in the coming months.

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said today: “Today’s guidance is a positive next step towards ensuring a safer and more sustainable aviation sector.

“The government’s advice currently remains to avoid all non-essential travel, but today we are taking the necessary steps to ensure a framework is in place for the aviation industry to bounce back when it is safe for restrictions on travel to be lifted.”

Currently, passengers have to pay to check in luggage and it is unclear whether airlines will waive this fee for any hand luggage checked in a result of these new government guidelines.

GOV UK

The new guidelines have been issued by the government ahead of travel this summer[/caption]

It also isn’t clear whether smaller handbags will still be allowed on board, or essentials including medical bags and bags with baby items in.

Some airlines won’t be affected – British Airways allow free checked in luggage on all tickets (excluding Hand Luggage Only tickets).

EasyJet told Sun Online Travel: “In line with EASA guidance we are allowing passengers to bring hand luggage on board but asking them to try and minimise this and advising them they will be required to stow it themselves in the overhead lockers.

“We have implemented a range of biosecurity measures based on the EASA guidance to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all customers and crew onboard.”

Low-cost airline passengers are more likely to have to pay to put their hand luggage in the hold, with the majority of tickets not including checked luggage.

Sun Online Travel has contacted other airlines for comment.

Tim Hawkins, Chief Strategy Officer at MAG, added in relation to the new rules: “This new guidance provides the basis for the restart and recovery of the UK aviation industry – it offers clear information for us, our passengers and our airlines on the steps needed to create a safe travel experience.”

 

This week the Government brought in a strict new 14 day quarantine plan for everyone coming into the UK, including British nationals.

Anyone entering the UK will need to provide contact details of where they are staying, and anyone who refuses to quarantine will be fined £1,000 or even face jail time.

Police will also be conducting checks to ensure people are quarantining and not leaving their residence for the two-week period.

For Brits living in the UK, they can quarantine at their own home, but will not be allowed to leave the house for two weeks, while anyone without accommodation will be provided somewhere by the government.

But there are hopes that the Government could agree an air-bridges policy with other countries to get people flying again and off on a summer break.

The scheme will allow quarantine-free travel between two countries if a bilateral agreement is made.

Bridges could be from low-risk countries including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Australia.

However, Spain is not yet looking into air bridges with the UK, it has been confirmed.

Prime Minister BORIS Johnson is considering long-haul flight options for summer holidays including Dubai and Sydney.