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From Monday 17th May foreign travel will be permitted for people living in England, Scotland and Wales. Officially, you are only meant to travel abroad for ‘essential’ reasons, below details what you need to know.
A traffic light system has been created to divide destinations into three categories – green, amber and red.
Visiting countries on the green list involves the fewest rules, and there is no quarantine period for returning travellers.
Which list a country is on depends partly on the number of Covid-19 cases and the success of their vaccine rollout – these lists can change at any point. It is worth being very mindful of this when choosing to travel abroad.
Which countries can I visit without quarantining?
Currently, only 12 countries and territories on the green list are:
- Portugal
- Israel
- Singapore
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Brunei
- Iceland
- Gibraltar
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands
- St Helena, Tristan de Cunha and Ascension Island
The list will be revised every three weeks, and countries may be added or removed at short notice, so it is essential to make sure you have the relevant insurance in place in case of any sudden changes resulting in cancellation. It’s also a great idea to sign up to email alerts from the FCO, so you’ll know as soon as the advice has changed.
What are the rules for visiting a country on the green list?
Before you travel back to the UK you’ll need to:
- Take a Covid-19 test and provide a negative result
- Book and pay for a second test once you have returned.
- Complete a passenger locator form
You won’t need to quarantine after returning from green list country unless your day two test is positive, or NHS Test & Trace informs you that you travelled with someone who has tested positive.
Given the current climate, it’s natural to have concerns about booking that all-important week in the sun. Ever-changing regulations, turbulence around regional corridors and quarantining when you get home can all be cause for concern. Our online travel insurers Just Travel have made some important improvements to your travel insurance cover, so you can have peace of mind.
My flight has been cancelled. What should I do?
First port of call should be your airline, travel agent or tour operator for their advice if they haven’t already contacted you at point of cancellation. You may be offered an alternative flight, on different dates, the option to change the destination, or a refund. Remember if you have adjusted your travel plans contact your insurance provider to amend your insurance cover.
I no longer want to travel, can I claim on my insurance?
Travel insurance only covers you in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. Therefore, if you decide not to travel, you will not be covered under your travel insurance. If you do not want to travel, contact your tour operator, travel agent or airline and see if they have any solutions to help you. Again, if you make any alterations to your trip, contact your insurance provider and let them know so they can make any relevant changes to your holiday.
I’ve tested positive for COVID -19 and now cannot travel.
Since March 2020 some travel providers have amended their terms of cover in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Our travel insurance provider Just Travel has extended cover to include Coronavirus cancellation cover. This means that if you test positive for Covid – 19 and have to self-isolate and cannot travel, you will be covered by the terms of your travel insurance.
I’ve arrived at the airport but been refused boarding due to coronavirus symptoms. Does my insurance cover me?
Optional denial of boarding extensions are available through some Travel Insurance providers. This additional cover, is available to purchase as an add on product to the standard insurance policy. Should you decided to take this extra cover, you would be insured if you are denied boarding at the airport due to Covid – 19 symptoms.
Will my insurance cover me should I fall ill abroad with Covid – 19?
You must check the terms of your medical cover with your insurance provider; however, specific cover for emergency medical care with Covid related symptoms are now becoming more widely available. Our travel insurance provider Just Travel now include Covid 19 on their list of treatable illnesses while abroad.
If you have a trip booked or are looking at getting away get a quote now and see what cover is available to you. We compare multiple insurers in one place; insurance is suitable for all ages and covers hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions.