The COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out in the UK and our coronavirus rates seem to be slowing down, and so as we take our first steps out of national lockdown it seems many of us are starting to think about travel overseas this summer.
At the present time (March 2021) no one who lives in the UK is legally permitted to travel overseas for non-essential reasons, such as work. Workers who are permitted to travel abroad, or what is classed as essential travel, include aircraft pilots and crew, border security officials, and Channel Tunnel system workers.
Those who do undertake international travel at the present time must either quarantine at home (taking two COVID-19 tests, one on day 2 and one on day 8) or stay at a so-called quarantine hotel if they are entering the UK from a red-list country.
However, there is good news on the horizon for those of us dreaming of some summer sun, as under Boris Johnson’s roadmap for easing COVID-19 restrictions there was mention of people living in England being able to possibly take foreign holidays from May 17th (at the earliest).
Government ministers are currently considering vaccine passports as a way of easing this transition, and we expect further details from the Global Travel Taskforce on the 12th of April.
So, if travel overseas is permitted from the 17th of May, where might we be able to go?
Here is a list of the countries who have confirmed their conditions of entry so far – although it is best to keep in mind that the UK Government has yet to set out their conditions for us to be able to leave the country.
Cyprus
Cyprus has stated that they will welcome all vaccinated tourists from May 1st 2021, with no need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result beforehand or quarantine on arrival.
France
France has already begun to ease its border restrictions saying that travellers from the UK no longer need “a compelling reason to travel”. Their Tourism Minister indicated that a decree that will outline requirements for entry will be published shortly and this is expected to include proof of a negative test result at least 72 hours before departure.
Greece
Greece is planning to welcome overseas visitors back from the 14th of May, as long as they can present proof of a negative test result on arrival, prove they have been vaccinated or show proof that they have COVID antibodies.
Seychelles
The Tourism Minister for Seychelles recently stated that they hoped to be open to tourists from the 25th of March providing tourists could present proof of a negative PCR test which was obtained 72 hours before departure. He also stated that no vaccination would be required.
Spain
Travel to Spain from the UK is currently banned, but Spain is working towards reopening their borders for international travellers from 19th May, with their Tourism Minister revealing they are looking into a vaccination passport system. This could mean that if you travel to Spain and haven’t had the vaccine, you may have to present a negative COVID test result in order to avoid quarantine.
Turkey
Passenger flights to Turkey are currently suspended but they have stated that their target date for opening the country back up to tourists is sometime in June.
As we have said before, though, the guidelines for international travel are constantly being reviewed, so it is wise to keep an eye on the latest travel advice before making any decisions.
At Fit2Fly Test you can buy a gold-standard PCR Test which includes an electronic Fit to Fly certificate. We are also able to provide you with a paper certificate for an additional charge.
