How likely is a summer holiday in Europe this year?

  • Anglia

Will we be able to take a summer holiday abroad this year? It's a question many people are asking.

One family from Clifton in Bedfordshire had been planning a break in Greece, but don't feel able to go through with it.

Jessica Alletto-Hayes has decided not to pay the balance for their trip in Julyeven though she may lose her deposit

This family from Clifton are not going on their trip to Greece this year Credit: ITV Anglia

That’s a view shared by Health Secretary, Matt Hancock.He warned on Tuesday that people were unlikely to be able to go on foreign holidays this summer, despite Ryanair planning to restore 40% of its flights from July.

Travel company Tui, who Jessica booked with, issued the following statement.

The virus has grounded the travel industry

At Luton and Stansted airports nine out of ten flights were cancelled at the height of the lockdown.

Wizz Air plans to resume services to places like Portugal from next month.

Ryanair’s flights are returning from the 1st of July. But it is critical of Government plans to isolate passengers arriving in the UK.

Staff at Eagle Travel in Bedford are busy helping clients unsure whether their holidays will go ahead.

But those hoping for a summer holiday on the Continent have been handed a glimmer of hope after a top European politician said she believed it "can be done safely".

European Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager said she hoped Britons could travel abroad for a break.

Asked about the prospect of Britons travelling to Europe for a vacation, MsVestager told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "I would hope so.

"I think that there's discussion over it at every dinner table in Europe andprobably also in the UK."

Even staycations are in doubt this year Credit: ITV Anglia

The situation is similarly uncertain for those hoping to take a staycation this year.

Center Parcs is making plans to welcome guests back with social distancing. But insists it will only open when the time is right.

At the Swan Hotel in Southwold, they are taking provisional bookings

Fears that relaxing lockdown rules would see daytrippers crowding our coasts have SO FAR proved unfounded.

So much uncertainty and so little confidence

The question not just when will we get the chance to go on holiday

But how many of us will take it?