Ahead of the Easter holidays in April, MPs have indicated there could be a change in Covid travel measures. The Passenger Locator Form that must be completed by all UK arrivals is expected to be scrapped ahead of the school holidays.
It's welcome news for families planning an Easter getaway. Greece became the latest nation to scraps many of its regulations this months and other countries are starting to lift rules, such as mandatory mask wearing and Covid passports.
Here is the latest advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, as reported by Wales Online. It’s important to check the latest guidance travel because rules can change at the last minute.
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France
Fully-vaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must provide:
- Proof of vaccination
- A sworn statement certifying the traveller is not suffering from Covid-19 symptoms
If you’re not fully-vaccinated you need to prove that you have an essential reason to travel to France (this is not required for children who are under 18 and are accompanied by vaccinated adults), provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours or a lateral flow test taken within 48 hours pre-departure and complete a sworn statement.
All children under 12 are exempt from all Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Spain
All travellers, including children under 12, must complete a Health Control Form before arrival. Double-jabbed holidaymakers need to show proof of being vaccinated in order to enter the country.
Proof of a booster jab is needed if the final vaccine dose was administered more than 270 days prior to travel. Only fully-vaccinated holidaymakers or those who can prove you’ve recovered from Covid in the last six months are allowed to enter for tourism.
Children under 12-years-old do not need to show proof of vaccination, take tests before going to Spain or show proof of Covid recovery. UK travellers aged 12 to 17 (inclusive) need to take a PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival in Spain, or be able to show a full vaccination certificate or a recovery certificate.
Gibraltar
The UK territory will drop the need for travellers landing at Gibraltar airport to submit a Passenger Locator Form from March 18. Covid testing will also no longer be required for those entering the territory.
Last week, the territory lifted its general requirements to wear masks and face coverings except in medical and health service buildings.
Unvaccinated close contacts of Covid-19 positive cases will no longer be required to self-isolate from March 25.
Greece
Travellers from the UK need to be able to provide one of the following:
- A valid vaccination certificate. If your final dose was administered more than nine months ago then you need to have received a booster.
- A certificate showing recovery from Covid-19.
- Proof of a negative PCR test undertaken within the 72 hour period before arriving in Greece
- Proof of a negative lateral flow test from an authorised laboratory, taken within the 24 hours period before arrival in Greece.
Arrivals in Greece may be required to take a rapid Covid test, and self-isolate if the result is positive.
Italy
All arrivals aged six and above must produce one of the following:
- Proof of vaccination
- Evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a lateral flow taken within 48 hours
- A Covid-19 recovery certificate stating confirming recovery from Covid with the past six months
Tourists must also complete a passenger locator form.
Anyone not fully vaccinated, exempt from vaccination or cannot demonstrate full vaccination, must produce either:
- Evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a lateral flow taken within 48 hours
- A Covid-19 recovery certificate confirming recovery from Covid in the last six months
Masks must be worn throughout flights to and from Italy.
Portugal
All passengers to mainland Portugal and the Azores are required to complete a passenger locator form before arrival. It’s also recommended for holidaymakers travelling to Madeira and Porto Santo.
Travellers who are fully-vaccinated do not need to test in order to enter Portugal. If vaccines were administered more than 270 days before arrival, proof of a booster jab is needed.
Fully vaccinated tourists need to show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entry, or a lateral flow test within 24 hours. Anyone testing positive for Covid in the last year can enter mainland Portugal with a Covid-19 recovery certificate, indicating recovery no more than 180 days before travel.
USA
Most passengers regardless of vaccination status are required to show a negative Covid test result taken no more than one day before boarding a flight to the USA. Fully-vaccinated travellers are recommended to take a test within three to five days of arrival in the US but do not have to quarantine.
Unvaccinated holidaymakers are not able to enter the USA. Children 17 and under who are not fully vaccinated are exempt from the quarantine requirement after arrival but must take a test three to five days after arrival and should self-isolate should any symptoms develop or if they test positive.
Children under two do not need to take a test. Masks must be worn on all flights to the USA. Exemptions remain for travellers under the age of two, and for those with certain disabilities with a Covid-19 recovery certificate, indicating recovery no more than 180 days before travel.
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