The Global Business Travel Association has cautioned that EU countries may act unilaterally on reopening, leading to a “patchwork of rules and confusion”.
The comments came after EU published guidelines on how to safely resume travel to the Schengen area, with the recommendation to gradually start reopening external borders as of 1 July.
Scott Solombrino, GBTA’s CEO, said: “Global travel will be the driving force of the post-COVID recovery. It will allow individuals to reconnect, place skills where they are most needed, boost employment and help resurrect the economies in the EU and across the world.
“Health and safety guidelines throughout all travel sectors are a key part of that process. Airlines and airports have already pledged to uphold the strictest disinfection standards: aircraft will be sanitised before every flight and all passengers will be required to wear face masks.
“People aren’t going to travel until they feel safe. Our member companies want to see health and safety maintained at every stage of the travel process – from the minute the traveller leaves home until they arrive back safely, this includes all travel sectors from ground transportation to airlines, to hotels.”
The GBTA said that blanket quarantine rules, such as the one imposed by the British government, were at this time “disproportionate and unenforceable – and will deliver a killer blow to a travel sector which is struggling for survival”. The entire travel community, it said, has been advocating for alternative measures, including tests and temperature checks at the country of origin and upon arrival.