The UK will no longer be part of the EU from 1 January 2021. Trade deal negotiations are still being thrashed out but the coronavirus pandemic has presented further problems.

Currently there are just a small number of countries with low Covid-19 rates which will allow non-essential visitors from outside the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). These include Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.

But there are no plans to extend this to the UK and foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said the prevalence of the virus in European countries as well as restrictions on travel will be kept under review.

As such, Brits could face problems travelling to Europe from January due to the dual issues of Brexit and coronavirus.

‘Death knell for the travel trade’

Transport and travel trade union TSSA warned that suggestions of a European travel ban from 1st January could “sound the death knell for the travel trade”.

It said the industry is already “on its knees” because of coronavirus impacts on travel, with 90,000 jobs lost or at risk across travel agents, travels shops and related businesses.

TSSA general secretary, Manuel Cortes, said: “Just when we’ve had some good news from the vaccine rollout, this news about post-Brexit European travel restrictions could sound the death knell for the travel trade.

“Unfortunately, it’s no surprise that this government hasn’t addressed post-Brexit travel arrangements despite there being only days left for negotiations. The much vaunted “oven-ready deal” has proved to be anything but.”