Covid travel rules are continuing to change with many destinations further relaxing restrictions for UK visitors. Although the last major UK travel restriction was dropped more than two weeks ago - the day 2 test for vaccinated travellers came to an end on February 11 - other nations still have strict entry rules in place.
The latest study by travel company Holiday Extras shows that the endless changes to regulations during the last two years have left holidaymakers so confused about the rules that almost 90 per cent of them believe some or all of the old restrictions are still in place.
In a poll of 1,000 people who had flown from a UK airport in the past three years, Holiday Extras found that only 12 per cent were confident that all of the old rules had been abolished. Some 26 per cent admitted they didn’t know what curbs were in place, while 25 per cent thought the pre-departure tests were still needed.
Shockingly, 10 per cent of travellers polled thought the red list was still in use, with seven per cent assuming they had to isolate on return to the UK. Another six per cent thought that every restriction, from red lists to day 2 and 8 tests, were still in place.
Matthew Pack, group chief executive at Holiday Extras, said: “If every holidaymaker who thought they still needed a test to travel had bought one in the two weeks since those tests were dropped, UK holidaymakers would have wasted another £10million on tests they didn’t need.
"Quite understandably after two years of constant disruptive changes to the travel rules, most UK holidaymakers haven’t yet realised that overseas travel is pretty much back to normal now. The government spent two years advertising the travel restrictions - it should fall to them, not our beleaguered industry, to let people know the restrictions have gone."
He added: "With a handful of exceptions for countries that are still closed, mostly in Asia-Pacific, you can go on holiday right now almost as easily as you could before the pandemic. It’s important people don’t waste time and money navigating travel rules that have come to an end, or put off much-needed breaks because it’s still not clear enough that the old restrictions are gone.”
Here some some of the latest nations to ease travel rules for UK visitors.
Greece
Vaccinated visitors to Greece will no longer need to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before entering the country from March 15. An official statement from the Greek tourism ministry said: “On a recommendation by the Experts’ Committee of the Ministry of Health, as of March 15, 2022, the completion of the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) which was required by all visitors for entrance to Greece is repealed.
“The revocation of the PLF simplifies the entrance procedure for travellers, passing the emphasis on vaccination certificate checks. In addition to that, adopting new health protocols for tourism enterprises puts Greece ahead of the competition. As always, we are ready to welcome our visitors safely.”
Visitors to Greece arriving before March 15, will still need to complete the PLF before travel.
Ireland
The country has ditched all Covid restrictions for visitors, including the need for travellers to fill in the Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form (PLF). A statement from the Dublin government said: “Travellers to Ireland are not required to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative PCR test result upon arrival.
“There are no post-arrival testing or quarantine requirements for travellers to Ireland. Any individual that develops COVID-19 symptoms while in Ireland should follow the Health Service Executive guidance in relation to isolation and undertaking antigen or PCR testing as appropriate.
“Travellers to Ireland are no longer asked to complete a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form. Travel carriers will not ask to check a PLF receipt prior to travel to Ireland.”
The Maldives
The Maldives government has eased entry rules by axing the requirement for fully vaccinated visitors to take a pre-departure test. Tourists do not have to take a PCR test, provided they have been fully-vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival.
Booster jabs are not required. Tourists who holiday in designated facilities are no longer required to take a PCR test when departing the islands.
Jordan
The Middle Eastern nation no longer requires arrivals to take PCR tests before departure and on arrival – regardless of vaccination status.
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for the country, stating: "All travellers regardless of their vaccination status, are no longer required to conduct pre-departure PCR tests and PCR tests on arrival in Jordan.
“All non-Jordanian travellers, whether vaccinated or not, should complete the Travel To Jordan Declaration Form on the Gateway2Jordan platform and follow all guidance provided by the Government of Jordan. You will need a visa to enter or travel through Jordan as a visitor. This can be acquired on arrival.
“Entry requirements for Jordan are the same for all travellers, regardless of Covid-19 vaccination status.”
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