The latest government announcement brings welcome changes to the travel restrictions for England!
The current traffic light system has been simplified into a two-tiered system – red list and the rest of the world, with a reduction in the number of countries on the red (unsafe for travel) list. If you’re fully vaccinated and travelling to a non-red list country you will no longer need to take a pre-departure test before arrival into England; and later in October the day two PCR test will be replaced with a lateral flow test.
Non-vaccinated travellers returning from a non-red destination will still need to take a pre-departure test before arrival into England, a day 2 and day 8 test and self-isolate at home for 10 days (with the option to Test to Release on day 5).
To ease your preparations for your holiday and to put your mind at rest about what you need to do to travel to non-red destinations; we have collated all the latest Coronavirus information onto one easy-to-use page.
This information includes the current entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to as per FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office) advice and also everything you need to know about COVID testing packages, entry requirements for your return to the UK, and proving your vaccine status for travel.
Click here for FCDO advice for the country you’re travelling to
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY DESTINATION:
In plenty of time before your holiday, please check the entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to and get tested and fill out a pre-departure form as required. Please note that this may be required even if you have been vaccinated.
The FCDO link above will let you know whether you need to fill out a pre-departure form and/or get tested before you travel or on arrival in your destination – the requirements on timings and the types of test accepted vary from country to country.
It’s your responsibility to make sure you meet any entry requirements, including arranging and paying for tests where you’re required to do so. Hays Travel have partnered with Collinson Group to help you with the testing process. You’ll find all the latest country-specific information on testing and entry requirements on the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office website.
COVID TESTING PACKAGES
Hays Travel have partnered with Collinson Group as a recommended supplier of COVID testing packages – from pre-departure testing in the UK to re-entry testing for your return to the UK and day 2 and day 8 testing after your return home. All tests can be booked with Collinson Group via using this link: https://www.collinsongroup.com/en/covid-19-testing
Pre-departure test in resort (unvaccinated)
You must provide proof of a negative COVID test (antigen or PCR test) to travel back to England if you are unvaccinated; the test needs to be taken in your destination up to 72 hours before your departure.
What happens if the test is positive?
You’ll need to follow local public health advice and specific procedures in place and expect to self-isolate in resort – you’ll be supported by your package holiday provider. You’ll also need to inform your travel insurance company; so it is essential that your travel insurance policy includes comprehensive COVID-19 cover – ask our staff for more details on our COVID-19 policy.
What are the rules for children travelling on non-red list holidays?
No child under 18 will have to isolate; but children age five and over will need to take a PCR test on day two. Children four and under will not need to take any tests.
What happens if a destination changes to the red list whilst I’m on holiday?
Your package holiday provider will arrange for you to be repatriated before rules come into effect.
NB: You should still check the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) advice for individual destinations. For more information on your local travel restrictions, please refer to your local government website
REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR RE-ENTRY INTO THE UK:
What you need to do in preparation for coming back to the UK from your holiday destination depends on which UK country you’re a resident in and whether or not you’re fully vaccinated.
You’ll need to book the tests you need to take once you arrive home, before your holiday begins. There’s guidance on this on the FCDO website. These tests are required even if you’re a UK citizen and you have been vaccinated. The Test to Release scheme is only in place for England. To support you with this process Hays Travel have partnered with Collinson Group as a recommended supplier.
If you live in Wales, the PCR tests you need to take once you’ve arrived home from a non-red list destination should only be purchased through the Wales CTM portal.
If you are unvaccinated you’ll need evidence of a negative test result – taken 72 hours before departure – to enable you to board your flight home and/or you could be fined on arrival. Your test result can be provided as a printed document, or an email or text message that you can show on your phone. NB: If your pre-departure test result is positive, you must not travel, and you should follow local guidance.
UK Passenger Locator Form
Make a note of the UK Passenger Locator Form link, as you’ll need to complete this form within the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK and before you check-in for your flight home. Every adult needs to complete a PLF form and any children travelling need to be added on to one adult’s form.
Once you’ve completed the PLF form and submitted it; you’ll receive an email with your QR code(s), which you’ll need to show before you board your flight home. You’ll also be able to download your completed form with your QR code(s). You’ll also need to enter your PLF reference number – a 13-digit number prefixed by ‘UKVI’ – when you check in to your flight online.
NHS APP – VACCINE STATUS
You’re fully vaccinated from 14 days after you have your second dose of a UK government-approved vaccine.
If you live in England and have been fully vaccinated, you’ll be able to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status through the NHS app.
If you don’t have a Smartphone, you can call the NHS Helpline on 119 and ask for a letter to be posted to you – you must do this at least five working days after your second vaccination. Make sure you allow seven days for the letter to be received.
If you live in Wales and have been fully vaccinated, visit the Welsh Government’s website to find out how to get your NHS COVID Pass.
If you live in Scotland and have been fully vaccinated, visit the NHS inform website to find out how to get proof of your vaccination status.
If you live in Northern Ireland and have been fully vaccinated, visit the NI Direct website to find out how to get proof of your vaccination status.