Confusion over France travel rules and cruise ships monitored for Covid

Nearly 90 cruise ships are also being monitored over Covid-19 outbreaks by the US health agency, as Omicron-fuelled infections surge.

Elsewhere, the UK recorded its highest daily infection rate on Wednesday (29 December), amid a shortage of available tests. While Scots are being urged not to travel to England to celebrate the new year.

Away from the pandemic, evidence shows the gender pay gap is widening in the UK and Selfridges’ new owners are planning to open a luxury hotel at the brand’s London store.

Here are the headlines that travel woke up to on Thursday (30 December).

Confusion over French Covid travel rules affecting Britons

There is more confusion over French travel rules after train operator Eurotunnel claimed that Britons were banned from driving through France to homes in other parts of the EU. Eurotunnel blamed the French government for the restriction, although the French interior ministry said Britons with the right documents can still travel. (Daily Mail)

US health agency monitoring 86 cruise ships for Covid

US health agency Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating or observing 86 cruise ships with reported Covid-19 outbreaks, as the country endures record infection levels. The CDC said it had already investigated 48 ships with another 38 vessels still “under observation”. (Reuters)

Covid cases hit new record as PM under pressure over testing shortage

Covid-19 infections in the UK hit a new daily high of 183,000 on Wednesday (29 December), as prime minister Boris Johnson faced criticism over the “patchy” availability of lateral flow and PCR tests around the country as demand for them soared. (The i)

Scots urged not to travel to England for Hogmanay

Scottish residents have been asked not to travel to England for new year celebrations this week. Nightclubs are currently closed in Scotland but remain open south of the border. Scotland’s deputy first minister John Swinney said travelling to England to welcome in 2022 would go against the “spirit” of Scottish Covid measures. (BBC News)

Gender pay gap getting worse at UK firms

The gender pay gap appears to be widening at the UK’s largest firms, according to the latest research on the subject. This study shows that 80% of organisations with more than 250 staff are still paying men more than women. (The Guardian)

Selfridges’ new owners plan luxury hotel at flagship London store

The new owners of retail icon Selfridges are planning to create a luxury hotel and serviced apartments as part of a revamp of the brand’s flagship Oxford Street store. Selfridges was purchased in a £4 billion deal by Austrian real estate group Signa and Thailand’s Central Group earlier this month. (Financial Times)