Major airlines have published fresh updates for customers in the wake of last weekend’s Spain travel quarantine announcement.
New UK rules state that all passengers arriving from Spain willneed to self-isolate for two weeks due to the country experiencing a sudden surge in coronavirus infections.
Officials are discouraging all “non-essential” journeys to Spain, with an alarming rise in case numbers recorded on consecutive days last week.
The UK Government moved quickly to block the air bridge agreement – which allows passengers to move freely between countries without having to quarantine.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called the response “unjust”.
The head of Spanish government is keen for tourism to continue, and is urging Britain to reconsider its decision on the basis that COVID-19 cases are contained to specific regions.
Talks are ongoing and guidelines are subject to change, but in the meantime, many major airlines have been forced to act.
Easyjet, Ryanair, Tui, Jet2 and British Airways have all published updates for passengers.
EasyJet’s flights to Spain will continue, but holiday packages have temporarily been put on hold.
The airline said it only offered holidays to destinations where self-isolation on arrival or return was not required.
In a statement to customers, the airline said it was “disappointed that the Government has decided to impose a quarantine requirement for those travelling from the whole of Spain since the increased occurrence of coronavirus is regional rather than nationwide.”
EasyJet representatives added: “We plan to operate our full schedule in the coming days.”
Ryanair
Ryanair is continuing to operate its flight schedule to Spain as normal.
Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan said: “As things stand, the market remains open, the schedules remain in place and we continue to operate in and out of Spain as normal.”
The airline’s Chief Executive Michael O’Leary has been highly critical of the Government’s quarantine measures, calling the latest announcement a “badly managed overreaction”.
TUI
TUI has cancelled all flights and holidays to mainland Spain until August 9.
It had initially hoped to continue routes to the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, but these flights have now also been halted until at least August 1.
The airline said any customers due to fly to mainland Spain can claim a full refund or change their holiday dates.
Jet2 has grounded its flights to Spain until August 17.
All customers affected are set to be contacted, with refunds available.
The airline is advising customers to keep an eye on updates given how the situation was “fast-moving” and subject to change.
A Jet2 spokesperson said: “For customers who are due to travel to Mainland Spain from 17th August onwards, we will provide an additional update once we receive further information from the government.”
British Airways
British Airways said it will continue to operate flights to and from Spain for the time being.
A message on their website states: “If you no longer wish to travel to Spain from the UK, or travel from Spain to the UK, you can claim a voucher for future travel.
“If you are returning from Spain and wish to make a change to you booking, please contact us.”
Travel information continues to be updated regularly, so be sure to check your airline’s website to stay up up-to-date.
News
Local LGBTQIA+ football team Manchester Laces are set to play in the FA Cup for the first time ever
Danny Jones
Inclusive football team Manchester Laces are set to break even more new ground are they prepare to compete in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup for the first time ever.
What a truly incredible few years it’s been for the club.
Set to play their maiden match in the female division of the sport’s oldest competition this weekend, Manchester Laces’ Yellows squad will be taking on rival Greater Manchester Women’s Football League (GMWFL) side, Northwich Victoria, in another historic milestone for the local outfit.
Announced last month, the game is now fast approaching, and they’re hoping that plenty of Manc natives will turn up in support.
For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Manchester Laces has grown to become the leading women’s, non-binary and LGBTQIA+ positive sporting bodies in the region.
In fact, as part of a wider family – which includes clubs in Hackney, South London and Limehouse Laces, not to mention players over in Canada too – they’re comfortably one of the biggest in the entire country.
Sticking with MCR Laces alone, founded by Helen Hardy, they have grown so much in reputation and size that they have six different teams besides just the Yellows: the other Manchester squads include the Blues, Greens, Oranges, Purples, as well as the budding new Reds and Blacks.
It’s this kind of impressive expansion and, crucially, representation that has seen them win two Football v Homophobia Awards and Grassroots Initiative of the Year back in 2023.
Side-note: they also happen to have one of our favourite fooy kits of the entire year so far…
Boasting a new regular stadium at Timpson Road and set to take part not only in the North West Women’s Regional Football League (NWWFL)/GMWFL, but now FA Cup and county cup games, 2025 could be their most momentous year yet.
Providing access to countless women and people from within the queer and non-binary community who love the beautiful game and may have otherwise struggled to find an outlet, their work has been crucial in and around Greater Manchester.
With that in mind, taking part in an inaugural run within the prestigious knockout tournament feels like yet another watershed moment for the organisation.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the club wrote on social media: “In 2021, we started our journey in Div 2 of the GMWFL with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. After winning consecutive league titles and earning back-to-back promotions, we are now a Tier 6 team.
“Yellows are delighted to be stepping into the magic of the FA Cup for the very first time, and we would love to see you there!
Taking place at both Wythenshawe Town FC’s and the Yellows’ own new home ground of Ericstan Park on Sunday, 7 September (2pm KO), we wish them the best of luck.
18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price
Emily Sergeant
18-21 year olds can now apply to travel on Greater Manchester’s bus network for half price, it has been announced.
The Bee Network says it is ‘continuing to lead the way’ when it comes to cutting the cost of public transport, with applications for half price unlimited bus travel for 18-21 year olds now open and around 150,000 young people in Greater Manchester set to benefit.
The new pass will ‘better connect’ young people to work, training, or education opportunities.
With the Greater Manchester economy found to be experiencing faster growth compared to the UK as a whole, and with making travel ‘easier, more affordable, and inclusive’ a critical part of the Bee Network’s success, Mayor Andy Burnham announced the half-price bus travel this week, alongside a raft of other improvements across the region.
Some of the other improvements the Mayor announced include more frequent buses, cheaper travel, and new round-the-clock services.
18-21 year olds can now travel on Greater Manchester’s buses for half price / Credit: TfGM
Young people can now buy a 28-day bus travelcard for just £40, which is half the price of adult fares and the equivalent of just £1.43 per day for unlimited travel on any Bee Network bus in Greater Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the new half-price travel is aimed at helping the thousands of young people once their 16-18 ‘Our Pass’ expires, and will support them as they move into further education or the world of work.
“Young people in Greater Manchester have been calling out for an affordable transport option for when their Our Pass expires and this new pass will give them that,” commented Fran Wilkinson, who is the Director for Customer and Growth at TfGM.
The new 18-21 Bee Bus ticket is here! 🙌
Enjoy 28 day’s of unlimited travel on #BeeNetwork buses for just £40. 🚌
Buy yours now on the Bee Network app with an 18-21 Pass ID.
“We know this is such an important time in a young person’s life as they look to go into further education or enter the world of work.
“Now as they explore the many opportunities available to them they will be able to use any Bee Network bus as much as they need to at half the price.”
Fatima Bangoura, who is the Youth Engagement Officer at Youth Leads, added: “The new 18-21 pass opens doors for those who may worry about losing that support once their Our Pass ends, making travel for training, apprenticeships, education and employment far more accessible.”
The Manc -
28th July 2020 
