Travel is slowly re-opening which means that people are starting to re-book the holidays that may have been cancelled during the covid pandemic.
It used to be so easy to pack up your bags and get on a plane, but there's a lot of rules we need to struck to these days.
Thankfully restrictions are easing, with France being one of the latest countries to remove testing for vaccinated passengers.
Last week the French Government confirmed that "proof of vaccination will be sufficient to come to France whatever country you are coming from, just as it was before the spread of the omicron variant."
But what are the rules if you want to travel to Japan, Malta or New Zealand?
Covid rules when travelling from the UK to Japan
Under current covid guidelines, foreign nationals - including British nationals - who do not have existing resident status are not permitted to enter Japan for any purpose other than in exceptional circumstances.
You can find a description of exceptional circumstances on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website here.
If you get permission to travel
All passengers arriving in Japan are required to:
- Complete a health questionnaire before disembarkation - including contact details
- Take a covid test at the airport
You will be asked to wait for the test results at the airport before moving to your quarantine destination.
Regardless of vaccination status, travellers from countries where the omicron variant must also:
- Self-isolate for seven days
The Gov.uk website states that "for those coming from the UK, the first six days must be spent in quarantine in a government-provided hotel.
"You will need to take a covid test on days three and six (the day of arrival counts as Day 0).
"If the tests are negative, you will be permitted to move into self-isolation at home or in a self-arranged hotel for the remainder of the seven day period."
If doing this, travellers must also sign a written pledge upon arrival which commits you to these rules.
The pledge also commits you to avoiding public transport, submitting to follow-up health checks, installing Japan’s covid tracing app, and maintaining – and in some cases disclosing – your location data.
Failure to comply with these requests could lead to you being subject to detention under the Quarantine Act.
It could also result in the release of your name and information related to reducing the spread of infection and, for foreign nationals, possible revocation of your Status of Residence and subsequent deportation.
Covid rules when travelling from the UK to Malta
All travellers must complete a Passenger Locator Form before travelling to Malta.
Fully vaccinated
Travellers must provide proof of full vaccination which must show that you received a full course of vaccination at least 14 days prior to travel.
In order to be counted as fully vaccinated, visit the Malta's health website here for a full list of FAQs.
If you’re not fully vaccinated
If you do not have a full vaccination certificate, you will be required to:
- Provide proof of a negatuve PCR test dated within 72 hours before arrival
- Quarantine for 14 days on arrival at an officially-designated quarantine hotel
British Nationals who have a valid Maltese residency card, who do not have a full vaccination certificate, may request prior authorisation to quarantine for 14 days at your home or preferred address. To do this you must submit an application here at least ten days prior to your arrival in Malta.
Upon arrival, you will be required to provide evidence of a PCR test dated within 72 hours before arrival.
If you’ve had covid in the past year
If you’re travelling to Malta, you cannot use the UK proof of covid recovery record certifying that you have recovered from covid in the last six months.
Children and young people
Children aged five to 11 can travel if they are accompanying their vaccinated parents/legal guardian and must show evidence of a negative PCR covid test dated within 72 hours before arrival.
Children under five do not need a test.
Children aged 12 to 18 will only be able to travel if they have proof of full vaccination which must be two doses, more than 14 days before travel.
Children aged 12 or over and under the age of 18 who do not have a vaccine certificate may enter with a negative PCR test but will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.
Covid rules when travelling from the UK to New Zealand
At present the New Zealand border is currently closed to almost all arrivals.
According to the Gov.uk website, on February 3 2022 the New Zealand Government announced a five step plan to re-open its borders commencing 11:59pm (New Zealand Time) on February 27 2022.
This will be around 11am in the UK on February 28.
