From Monday 21st June 2021, Italy will will impose quarantine rules on UK visitors.
This is in response to the threat from the the highly contagious Delta covid-19 variant which has been rising in the UK.

Travellers arriving into Italy from the UK will be required to complete a compulsory 5 day quarantine on arrival, and take covid-19 tests. These measures were being signed today by Italian health minister Roberto Speranza.

Italy also launches its digital covid-19 certificate.
The health minister has lifted restrictions for tourists from the United States, Canada and Japan, as well as some EU countries, in line with the requirements of the ‘Green Pass’ certificate, in other words showing that they have been vaccinated or recently tested negative covid-19.

The news comes as the Covid-19 rate in Italy continues to fall, dropping to 16.7 coronavirus cases for every 100,000 people.

Holidays to Portugal have taken a hit this week as the government announced Portugal has been moved to Amber from the green list where it has been since 17th May. The change will come into effect at 4am on Tuesday 8th June 2021.

This means, travellers arriving back to the UK after 4am on 8th June from Portugal wil need to follow the guidlines set out by the giverment for countries on the Amber list.

AMBER LIST
You should not travel to countries on the Amber list the government says.

Rules for visiting countries on the Amber list:

1. Take a Covid-19 test
2. Book and pay for a day Covid-19 test for day two and day eight of your return
3. Complete a passenger locator form

On arrival in England you must quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days.

You must follow these rules, even if you have been vaccinated.

For more details on which countries are on which list (Green, Amber, Red) Click Here

International visitors who have departed from or transited through any of the below nations in the previous 10 days will not be allowed from entering. This is the new travel red list.

British and Irish citizens or those who have residence rights in the UK will be allowed to enter, but will have to arrive at a designated port and then pay & stay in a government-approved quarantine hotel for 10 days. Once in quarantine, they will have to take a COVID test on the second and eighth day of their self-isolation.

The decision is based on advice from the government-funded Joint Biosecurity Centre.

Overseas holidays are banned under England’s coronavirus lockdown measures until 17 May at the earliest.

A new law came in on Monday threatening a fine of up to £5,000 for anyone who tries to leave England before 30 June without “good reason”, although this could be lifted sooner if travel is allowed to resume.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a halt to travelling worldwide. Many people have been left wondering when they will be able to travel and take a well needed holiday abroad.

When will we be able to travel again in the UK?
People are now able to travel in England and Wales. Self -contained holidays are open for people from the same household or support bubble to book.

Hotels and B&B’s are set to allow visitors from 17th May 2021 at the earliest for holidays. Essential business travel is still allowed under the current rules.

When will we be able to travel internationally?
Currently there is no simple answer to this. A number of milestones need to be reached in order for our borders to re open. Many countries across the world are currently experiencing high levels of infections and borders in many places are closed to all non-nationals.

Can I book International holidays for 2021?
The UK government has warned against booking holidays in summer 2021. The safest choice is to wait for a clear sign from our government before booking your holiday.

Countries which rely on tourism will most likely introduce extra measures to entice travellers back after the pandemic has passed to help them recover as much as possible from the pandemic.

Which will be the best countries to travel to?
Our predictions are that holidays to Dubai, Greece, Turkey and Maldives will be popular. Prices are likely to rise and we can see these already increasing from prices 2 years ago. Stay-cations have also seen a surge in demand with prices likely to rise once holidays in the UK are allowed again. Like previous years, there will still always be international holidays that cost the same as UK ones if you do your homework and shop around.

Vaccine passports
Vaccine passports likely to be required for International travel. Boris Johnson has given his clearest hint so far that vaccine passports are likely to be required for international travel. The Prime Minister said that they would definitely have a role to play when international travel resumes. “On the issue of vaccine certification, there’s definitely going to be a world in which international travel will use vaccine passports”.

Boris Johnson has given his clearest hint so far that vaccine passports are likely to be required for international travel.
His comments were made after politicians including Jeremy Corbyn and Sir Ed Davey warned against the introduction of the certificates on the grounds that they would be “divisive and discriminatory”.

The Prime Minister said that they would definitely have a role to play when international travel resumes. “On the issue of vaccine certification, there’s definitely going to be a world in which international travel will use vaccine passports”.

• • Countries, territories and regions on the travel corridor list

    All travel corridors were suspended 4am, 18 January 2021.

  • If you arrive in England from anywhere outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you will need to quarantine for 10 days.

Details from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors

A Covid test that can provide a result in 12 minutes will be made available at high street pharmacy Boots.

The nasal swab test, which will cost £120, will be available in selected stores in the UK to people who are not showing symptoms.
The company says the aim is to offer customers peace of mind.

Anyone in the UK who thinks they have symptoms should stay at home and contact the NHS to book a Covid test in the usual way.

The technology has been developed by LumiraDx, which has also struck a deal to provide supplies to the NHS in Scotland.
Trials suggest it is accurate enough to identify cases, although, like any Covid test, there are some false results meaning they are not 100% reliable.

The Lumira tests, due to lauch at 50 Boots stores in November, take minutes to give a result, analysing a nose swab sample on the spot, via a small, portable machine.

Anyone who tests positive should then isolate to avoid spreading the infection to others.

Developments in the coronavirus pandemic remain uncertain around the world. No travel is risk-free. If you are planning travel abroad in the weeks and months ahead, even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, follow this travel checklist: 

Before you travel

• follow the current guidance in the place where you live. See the guidance for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

• keep up-to-date with the latest developments for your destination before your trip. Sign up for travel advice email alerts and check the TravelHealthPro website for travel health guidance 

• find out about any entry restrictions, screening or quarantine requirements on arrival that might affect you. Check ‘entry requirements’ in our travel advice and contact the UK-based embassy of the country you’re travelling to for more information

  • if you need to take a COVID-19 test to facilitate travelling to another country, you should not use the NHS testing service. Instead, you should arrange to take a private test

• read the safer air travel guidance on sensible precautions and steps to take if you’re flying. Consider your own circumstances and health, and remember you will need to wear a face covering on flights in England and Scotland. See also the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) guidance 

• check with your accommodation provider for information about availability and the safety measures they have put in place 

• read the advice of local authorities and follow all local health measures in place during your journey and in your destination. Local measures and travel restrictions may change before you arrive or during your stay. Check the travel advice page for your destination and check with your transport provider for more information 

• get travel insurance, and make sure you are content with the level of cover it provides. If you already have travel insurance check it is valid and provides appropriate cover 

• check your cancellation rights. Speak to your tour operator, transport and accommodation providers if you have any questions 

When you’re abroad

• be prepared to comply with measures at your destination to manage a localised outbreak. If you test positive for coronavirus you are likely to need to get treatment locally and stay there until you have recovered.  If you are required to quarantine or self-isolate by local authorities, you should expect to do so in the country. You may need to stay longer than you intended. Plan ahead for any delays to your return home and the financial implications or practical arrangements you may need to make 

• continue to follow any updates to our travel advice for your destination

• if you will be returning to the UK, prepare for your return journey by completing the passenger locator form

When you return

• you will need to follow the rules for entering the UK. You must show proof of a completed passenger locator form at the UK border. You can complete it up to 48 hours before you enter the UK, and should do so before arrival. Failing to complete the form is a criminal offence

• you may have to self-isolate for the first 14 days you’re in the UK. See the guidance on self-isolation for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• you may not have to self-isolate when you arrive from some countries and territories known as ‘travel corridors’. View the latest guidance and list of travel corridors for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• see the list of people who are exempt from the English border rules

Data from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Many British currently on holiday in Cyprus, including families that are on half-term holiday, now have until 4am on Sunday to get back home or face a 2 week quarantine.

The move was announced yesterday at 5pm, after the country’s seven-day infection rate crossed the threshold of 100 per 100,000 residents.

Flights immediately increased in price for those trying to get back to the UK on Saturday October 31. Direct flights from Cyprus costing to £405 from Paphos and £371 from Larnaca within an hour of the announcement. Comparatively, direct flights on Sunday November 1 from the island to the UK were just £109. This continues to be the case as we have seen previously during this pandemic gripping the world.

This morning, there are no direct flights available to book for October 31 to avoid quarantine; options with multiple stops coming in at 13 hours travel time are also pricey at £387 one-way from Paphos. The fastest option (with one stop) back from Larnaca is £564.