Quarantine Rules Eased for UK Tourists Holidaying in Murcia
Photos supplied by British Airways
From 19 July fully vaccinated UK travellers will no longer be required to self-isolate when returning home to England from “amber list” countries including Spain.
The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has also announced today that it “no longer advises against all but essential travel to Spain, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks”.
The decision has been welcomed by the airline industry, with Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade declaring, “The summer season essentially starts here.”
EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren also praised the decision, “This move means Europe is turning green for people who are fully vaccinated. We have always said that vaccination is the key to unlocking travel and now millions will finally be able to reunite with family and loved ones abroad or take that long-awaited trip this summer.“ He did, however, add that “more needs to be done” to end “unnecessary testing”.
In a statement to Parliament this morning, transport secretary Grant Shapps said travellers would still have to take a pre-departure test three days before their return flight and a PCR test on or before day two of their return.
Shapps said the changes – which will coincide with “Freedom Day”, when COVID-19 lockdown restrictions throughout England are due to be eased – would apply to people 14 days after their second jab.
Travellers would also no longer be required to take a day-eight test, thus bringing into line the requirements for both green and amber list countries.
Noting that he recognised travel rules for children had been a major concern for families, Shapps said he was “delighted” to be able to offer them reassurance in this respect.
Under the new rules, children under the age of 18 returning from amber list countries will not be required to isolate on their return, or have to take a COVID-19 test on the eighth day.
Children between five and 10 years will only have to take a day two test, and children aged four and under continue to be exempt from all testing and self-isolation protocols.
Another industry leader welcoming the changes was British Airways’ chairman and CEO Sean Doyle, who said in a press statement, “This is an important step for Britain as we start to make travel possible again after 18 difficult months. There is still more to do, including opening the US, but we are enthusiastic about welcoming more of our customers back over the summer period and reassuring them that British Airways is ready. Our people have been working relentlessly behind the scenes to make important changes to the customer experience that will ensure our customers receive a first-class experience and complete peace of mind.”
Earlier this week, British Airlines announced plans for a “proving trial” in partnership with Heathrow and Virgin Atlantic “to demonstrate that all WHO-approved, fully vaccinated travellers can safely enter the UK seamlessly using digital technology to prove vaccination status.” VeriFLY, which already provides British Airways customers with access to an app to host verification documents, will be a key partner in the trial.
British and other international tourists visiting the Murcia region and its popular Costa Cálida resort areas are being offered free travel insurance to cover COVID-incurred and other medical costs.
The post Quarantine Rules Eased for UK Tourists Holidaying in Murcia appeared first on Corvera Airport Travel.