Northstar’s Global Update invites you to join our international content leaders’ biweekly meetings to hear the latest updates in major international meetings markets. This week, Loren Edelstein, vice president and content director of Northstar Meetings Group, chatted with James Lancaster, editorial director of Northstar Meetings Group U.K., about how regulations are changing in Europe. Some new policies will make international travel easier, while others might further complicate and confuse would-be visitors. “Hopefully, common sense will prevail,” says Lancaster.
Here’s what we discussed:
- In the U.K., where experts had predicted a dramatic rise in Covid-19 cases, the numbers have been declining steadily — a sign that the worst could be over. (1:00)
- Most large events are still likely to require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test for entry. (3:50)
- As of early Monday morning, fully vaccinated people from the U.S. and E.U. do not need to quarantine after arrival in the U.K. – except for visitors from France. (4:40)
- There’s talk of introducing an “amber watch” list, which would include countries with rising numbers of Covid cases that put the destination in danger of being moved to the red list. (6:15)
- Without clear guidance it will be very difficult for our industry, and international meetings in particular, to recover fully. (7:15)
- Another plan under consideration would exempt travelers from needing to quarantine if their travel involved an airport transfer in a red-list country. (8:30)
- The proposed use Covid passes for events and attractions is gaining acceptance throughout Europe, as more countries are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test. (11:00)
- People don’t seem to understand that mask-wearing will help stop the spread of the disease and everyone’s “freedoms” will happen more quickly. (13:08)
