A number of holiday hotspots have changed their international travel rules.
It means that many tourists heading abroad for some half-term sun could see their plans impacted.
Several European counties have altered their vaccination requirements and Australia has also announced a major change that will impact all tourists.
The rules mean that it is hugely important for travellers to be fully vaccinated in order to gain entry to places like France and Spain.
Testing continues to be vital for entry in many cases as well, reports LiverpoolEcho.
Here is everything you need to know about the most recent rule changes.
France
Travellers aged over 18 and one months who had their full vaccine course over nine months ago and have not since received a COVID-19 vaccine booster must follow the rules for unvaccinated passengers to enter France.
Travellers from the UK who are not boosted are treated as "unvaccinated" - unvaccinated travellers will need to self-isolate on arrival in France for 10 days, subject to police checks.
You must also provide:
- a negative PCR or antigen test result taken within 24 hours pre-departure if aged 12 years and over
- contact details before travel to France, including the address they will be staying at, to the French authorities via an online form
- a completed international travel form to prove the reason for essential travel. This can be found on the French government’s website. In exceptional circumstances, the French Consulate in London may be able to assist with travel for a compelling reason not listed as an ‘essential reason for travel’
- a completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website
You may also be asked to complete the EU-PLF form before boarding.
Denmark
Denmark will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination issued in the Crown Dependencies.
If you have not received a booster (3rd dose of vaccine), your second vaccine dose must have been administered between 14 and 270 days prior to travel.
If you are travelling to Denmark from the UK and do not meet the second vaccine dose criteria you will need to:
- take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival in Denmark
- self-isolate for 10 days after arriving in Denmark. You can end self-isolation with a negative PCR-test taken at least 4 days after arrival.
Spain
New rules, brought in on February 1, state at least 14 days must have passed since being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a 2-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) before arrival in Spain.
Your date(s) of vaccination must be specified and your final dose must have been administered within 270 days prior to travel to Spain.
If you completed your vaccination (with both doses of a 2-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine) more than 270 days prior to travel to Spain, you must be able to show proof of having received a booster jab.
Under the Spanish government’s current measures, you can only enter Spain from the UK for tourism purposes if you can show valid proof of meeting the vaccination requirements set out above.
Norway
Norway has eased its restrictions and travellers no longer need to test when they arrive in Norway.
If you test positive for coronavirus while in Norway, you must self-isolate but you can end the isolation after four days from when the symptoms appeared, if you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours.
All travellers over the age of 16 must complete an online registration form, 72 hours prior to arrival in Norway.
Norway does accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record.
If you’re not fully vaccinated then you must complete the online registration form and have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 24 hours before arrival.
Australia
Australia will reopen its borders to vaccinated tourists and business travellers from February 21 after nearly two years of strict coronavirus travel restrictions.
Border restrictions were eased slightly in November which allowed international students and skilled migrants to enter the country, but now holidaymakers will be able to return.
According to the country’s prime minister Scott Morrison, visitors must be able to show proof of vaccination, while home affairs minister Karen Andrews said visitors who could provide proof of a medical reason why they could not be vaccinated could apply for a travel exemption.
But travellers must also be aware that Australia’s states will have different rules for travellers, so you should check before you plan your trip.
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