Covid travel rules to be axed and UK bans Russian oil

A decision by the UK and US to stop buying Russian oil is expected to put further pressure on household bills as energy costs continue to soar, while a new law has officially banned Russian aircraft from UK airspace.

Elsewhere, people living in Hong Kong remain “in limbo” as Covid cases soar in the region.

Here are the headlines the travel industry woke up to on Wednesday (9 March).

All Covid travel rules could be axed in days

All Covid travel restrictions could be scrapped in days under plans being considered by the UK government, including the end of the Passenger Locator Form. Cabinet ministers are set to make the final decision next week on plans which could also see the dropping of testing for unvaccinated travellers. (The Daily Mail/The Mirror)

Britain and the US move to ban Russian oil imports

The UK and the US have jointly decided to stop buying Russian oil by the end of this year in a further sanction move over the war in Ukraine. The decision is likely to further push up energy prices and the costs of other goods. (The Guardian)

Ukraine’s president vows never to surrender to Russia

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky received a standing ovation from MPs during a video address to the House of Commons in which he vowed that his country would continue to fight the invading Russian forces. (Various)

Criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to enter UK airspace

The government has made it a criminal offence for any Russian aircraft to enter UK airspace, including private jets, as the crackdown against Russia continues. Under the new law, Russian owned or chartered aircraft can also be detained by UK authorities. (Sky News)

Hong Kong stuck in limbo as Covid cases soar

Hong Kong is suffering China’s worst outbreak of Covid cases since the start of the pandemic two years ago with tens of thousands of cases reported every day, despite authorities in the region continuing to implement their “zero Covid” policy of restrictions. (Financial Times)