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UK travellers who are planning to travel overseas this summer, are urged to follow Government advice before they head abroad.

The current advice stressed that travel is different and so travellers will need to take action before they go abroad – as more than 100 countries and territories have requirements or restrictions based around people who are travelling from the UK. UK travellers are therefore being advised to check the FCDO’s travel advice for entry requirements before they book a holiday – and even sign up to ensure they stay up to date.

As schools across the UK are breaking up for summer, and people across the country are thinking about taking a well-earned break – travellers are being advised to follow the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office advice to make sure any international travel they do undertake is as disruption-free and safe as possible.

From July 19th 2021, UK travellers who have been fully vaccinated with an NHS administered vaccine will not need to self-isolate when they return to the UK from an amber list country – except for those who are returning from France.

However, with over 100 countries and territories placing restrictions or requirements on travellers from the UK, going on holiday abroad this year will be more challenging than it ever has been before – and so anyone who is planning on going abroad should take extra precautions.

On top of this, the FCDO has issued eight travel tips that people should follow if they plan to travel abroad this summer – and these are:

Travelling Abroad Tip One

Check the FCDO travel advice for your chosen destination’s entry and quarantine requirements BEFORE you book

Travelling Abroad Tip Two

Make sure you know and follow, the local COVID-19 rules and restrictions for your chosen destination – as there may be curfews in place and limits on group numbers.

Travelling Abroad Tip Three

Check FCDO travel advice for information on how to prove your COVID-19 vaccination status, as your chosen destination may ask you to prove you have been fully vaccinated.

Travelling Abroad Tip Four

If you are planning on visiting Europe, then check what new actions you need to take. There are lots of new rules in place for UK travellers, including rules around access to healthcare, rules around passport validity, rules around travelling with food and drink products, and rules around taking a vehicle or pet.

Travelling Abroad Tip Five

Be prepared for things to change as Coronavirus is still considered a threat. Travel disruption is therefore still possible. In order to protect the general public’s health in England, countries may be added to the red list at short notice. Foreign countries may also close their borders or change their entry rules for UK travellers at short notice.

Travelling Abroad Tip Six

Sign up to receive travel advice email alerts so that you will receive the latest travel advice updates automatically for the destinations you are interested in knowing about.

Travelling Abroad Tip Seven

Make sure you have a travel insurance policy and are fully aware of what the exemptions are. If you are visiting Europe, you will also need to have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

Travelling Aborad Tip Eight

Make sure you have checked what vaccination status your chosen destination accepts. In England and Wales, you can download the NHS app, and follow the instructions to validate your NHS COVID pass. In Northern Ireland, you can apply to receive a vaccination certificate. In Scotland, you can get a record of your coronavirus vaccination status.

The Director of Consular at the FCDO, Jennifer Anderson, was recently quoted as saying:

The success of our vaccine roll-out means people who have been fully vaccinated in the UK can now travel to amber list countries, without the need for quarantine on their return, with the exception of those returning from France.

But travel this summer is still different from before. It is essential that travellers plan ahead and familiarise themselves with the rules and requirements of the country they plan to visit to minimise disruption and avoid disappointment.

The first step for anyone thinking of going abroad is to check the FCDP’s Travel Advice and subscribe to updates. We keep it under constant review so it reflects the most up to date information”

The Traffic Light System

UK travellers returning to the UK from abroad will continue to be governed by the traffic light system for the time being. This means residents in England, Scotland and Wales must undertake the quarantine and testing requirements that apply to them and the country they are returning to the UK from.

Returning to the UK from abroad

Before returning home to the UK, travellers to England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales must be able to provide proof of a negative COVID test – even if they have been fully vaccinated.

Travellers will also need to take a pre-departure COVID test within 72 hours of their return journey home. Anyone who receives a positive result from this test will not be allowed to travel back to the UK and must follow the local rules for isolation and testing – which could mean that they incur additional costs.

All travellers to the UK, regardless of where they are coming from, also have to complete a passenger locator form.

If arriving in the UK from a country on the green list, you are required to take a day 2 PCR test.

If arriving in the UK from a country on the amber list, you will need to take a day 2 and day 8 test and quarantine for 10 days – if you are not fully vaccinated.

You also have the option of taking a Test to Release test on day five of your quarantine, to potentially shorten your quarantine length -on receipt of a negative result.

No UK traveller should be travelling to a country that is on the red list.

All travellers are encouraged to check booking terms and conditions on flexibility and refunds as the travel situation still remains so fluid. The good news is, that many travel firms have changed their terms to be more flexible during this time.

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