Ministers have been accused of using “confused and contradictory” language over foreign travel, with Keir Starmer using prime minister’s questions to say this risks allowing more new variants of coronavirus into the country.
Amid particular criticism about seemingly contradictory guidance on travel to amber list countries, the Labour leader told Boris Johnson he had “lost control of the messaging”.
But Johnson insisted the guidance on travel to the 170 or so amber list countries was “very, very clear”. He told the Commons: “You should not be going to an amber list country unless for some extreme circumstance such as the serious illness of a family member. You should not be going to an amber list country on holiday.”
Johnson also said there was “increasing confidence” that existing vaccines were effective against the B.1.617.2 variant of coronavirus first identified in India, which is viewed as more transmissible and a possible obstacle to plans to end many lockdown rules on 21 June. Johnson did not say what evidence underpinned this.
On Tuesday the environment secretary, George Eustice, said that people could travel to amber list countries to see family and friends. Shortly afterwards Johnson contradicted this, saying it should only happen for urgent family or business.
Then in the House of Lords on Tuesday night, the health minister Lord Bethell said people should not travel at all, even to green list countries. He said: “We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.”