Last checked at 
(Recasts with Ryanair statement)
LONDON, June 11 (Reuters) - Ryanair rejected new
British government guidance for passengers to check in all
luggage including hand bags, saying on Thursday it would instead
recommend that passengers minimise checked-in luggage.
Britain published the guidance for airlines and airports on
how to minimise the risks from coronavirus, adding to hopes that
it will soon agree deals to allow quarantine-free travel.
Passengers and staff should wear face-coverings in airports
and on aircraft, while passengers should check in all luggage
and remain seated for as much of the flight as possible, the
Department for Transport said.
But the guidance to put baggage in the hold drew a sharp
rebuke from Ryanair. Europe's biggest low-cost airline said that
unlike checked-in luggage, cabin bags are handled only by the
passenger which limits any risk of physical contact with other
people.
Ryanair said the government should focus their efforts on
scrapping the quarantine on people arriving in Britain.
Since the outbreak of coronavirus, there has been minimal
flying into and out of Britain. Airlines had been hoping for a
recovery in July, but they say new UK rules requiring
international arrivals to quarantine for 14-days have pushed
this back.
Britain has said work is continuing on "air bridges" between
countries with low infection rates, something which the industry
says is vital to kickstart travel demand and avoid further job
losses on top of the tens of thousands already announced.
"We are taking the necessary steps to ensure a framework is
in place for the aviation industry to bounce back," said
transport minister Grant Shapps in a statement.
Many airlines including easyJet, Ryanair and British
Airways have already said that customers must wear face
coverings onboard.
(Reporting by Sarah Young in London and Padraic Halpin in
Dublin; writing by Alistair Smout; editing by Michael Holden and
Stephen Addison)
