An “air bridge” between the Big Apple and Big Ben is being discussed by the US and UK as a possible means for travelers to sidestep quarantine rules amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report.
Officials are studying plans for regional “air bridges” that will allow visitors from “low-risk areas” such as New York City to cross the pond to Britain, the Telegraph reports.
New York has raised its Sunday infection rate to just 7.2 cases per 100,000, which is below 11.3 in the UK, but remains called “red” – forcing U.S. visitors 14 days after quarantine, according to the outlet.
“There are discussions at a very senior level about the opening of London and New York. They are at a very early stage, but it is important to bring things up with a major trading partner, especially if we are close to the Brexit are, ‘a source told the Telegraph.
British Secretary of Transport Grant Shapps confirmed last week that ministers were studying the possibility of “regional travel corridors” to allow quarantine-free flights from “low-risk areas” within countries with high infection rates.
“Talks between governments in other countries over a wide range of issues take place regularly,” a British transport official told the newsroom when asked about talks with Washington.
“Public health remains the UK’s top priority and we are committed to tackling this virus while enabling a sustainable and responsible return to international travel,” the spokesman said.
“We keep the data for all countries and territories under constant review and will not add any country to our list of travel corridors unless it is secure.”
The German group for aviation industry BDL is already planning a joint pilot project with the US to connect airports in Newark, Chicago, Boston and Los Angeles with Frankfurt and Munich, reports the Telegraph.
It would rely on coronavirus testing already taking place in Boston and German airports.
“New York is the financial center of the most powerful economic power in the world, so we need to be able to fly there,” a source from the airport industry told the outlet.
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