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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Kate Lally & Ketsuda Phoutinane

Spain, France, Greece and Australia travel rule changes updated by UK Foreign Office

International travel rules are opening up long-haul travel in a way that hasn't been accessible since the start of the Covid pandemic.

Australia reopened its borders to tourists for the first time since March 2020 after one of the world's longest and strictest travel bans.

Vaccinated travellers are now allowed to go on Aussie holidays for the first time in almost two years.

The UK travel industry forecasts a travel boom this year as fliers shake off travel rules and restrictions from testing to quarantine.

The pent-up demand could lead to near pre-pandemic flight capacities by autumn 2022, according to EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren last month.

As travel rebounds and rules are eased, the UK Foreign Office has updated its advice for a number of countries, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Countries have eased travel rules, but some restrictions remain, particularly around vaccination requirements.

Australia

As of February 21, 2021, arrivals who are fully vaccinated will not need a travel exemption and will not be made to quarantine.

Anyone entering the country is also required to complete an Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure.

The ATD includes a declaration regarding your vaccination status and you will be asked to upload your vaccination certificate.

Unvaccinated visa holders will still need a valid travel exemption to enter Australia - and these will not be granted solely for tourism purposes.

Inbound passengers must also provide a negative accepted Covid test result.

Australian states and territories also have their own Covid rules, with the strictest enforced by Western Australia state which covers a third of the island continent.

Spain

Spain has new booster jab requirements (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Spain introduced a huge change for holidaymakers this week as children over 12 from non-EU countries, such as the UK, now do not need to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus to enter the country.

The change came into force on Monday, February 14, ahead of the school half term.

Adults who are fully vaccinated and travelling from the UK can enter Spain without needing to test or quarantine regardless of your reason for travel.

The country also has new booster jab requirements which mean that if you completed your vaccination course over nine months ago, you'll need a booster jab to be considered fully vaccinated.

However, adult Brits yet to receive both jabs can only enter the country if their reason for travel falls into one of the categories listed as "essential".

Morocco

After swiftly closing its borders in October, Morocco is now welcoming fully vaccinated tourists again.

Passengers must also present a negative PCR result, and download, print and sign a passenger health form before arrival in Morocco.

Children under the age of 6 are exempt from the pre-travel PCR test requirement, and children under the age of 18 are exempt from the requirement to present a vaccine pass.

France

Vaccinated holidaymakers can enjoy a trip to France, but could need boosters (Getty Images)

Only fully vaccinated Brits can visit for holidays without needing to quarantine.

The country has scrapped covid test requirements so fully vaccinated holidaymakers won't need a PCR or antigen test to visit.

Unvaccinated travellers need an essential reason to visit.

There are also new booster jab requirements if you were vaccinated over 270 days ago.

All passengers will also need to sign a 'sworn statement' confirming they are not showing symptoms of coronavirus, nor have they been in contact with a confirmed case within 14 days before travel to France.

Norway

Norway’s border is now open as it was before the pandemic began.

Most restrictions within the country have also been lifted.

All travellers arriving in Norway must complete registration prior to arrival. This also applies to Norwegian citizens.

Arrivals must also take a test upon entering the country, regardless of their vaccination status. (People under the age of 16 are exempt).

Greece

Greece is open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated Brits.

Greece recently updated its rules so that fully vaccinated travellers will be exempt from covid test requirements.

Anyone over the age of 12 will need to fill out a pre-departure passenger locator form.

If you're unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will need to show proof of a negative covid test result.

PCR tests can be taken within 72 hours of arrival, or antigen tests within 48 hours of arrival.

Israel

Israel will now allow unvaccinated tourists to enter from the beginning of next month.

Its government announced the rule change on Sunday as the latest wave of the coronavirus recedes.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that foreign tourists, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, would be required to take PCR coronavirus tests before their flights and upon landing.

The rules go into effect on March 1.

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