Lots of people are jetting off this summer on their first holiday abroad after the pandemic. Many countries have eased their entry requirements making it easier to go away, while some have scrapped Covid measures altogether.
One thing which is worth knowing are the rules which you need to follow at your destination if you test positive for coronavirus while on holiday. Restrictions have relaxed significantly here in the UK but there may still be self-isolation requirements in place in other countries.
We’ve looked at the rules you need to follow for popular holiday destinations. For the latest advice on Covid rules abroad you can check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, BelfastLive reports.
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Spain
If you are travelling to Spain you must show valid proof of being fully vaccinated, having a negative Covid-19 test or having recovered from Covid-19 in the last 6 months. These requirements do not apply to children under 12 years old.
But what happens if you contract the virus while on holiday? The UK government say if think you have symptoms or test positive for Covid-19, you should call your regional hotline.
Hotels and other accommodation providers may have their own Covid-19 protocols in place. You should abide by any safety measures put in place by your accommodation provider.
You are not required to self-isolate if you have mild or no symptoms but you should wear a mask and avoid crowded spaces. For more information, click here.
Greece
Passengers arriving in Greece do not need to show a proof of Covid vaccination, a negative Covid test, or a certificate of recovery from Covid.
If you test positive while in the country, you must self-isolate for 5 days from the date of the positive test result. You may leave self-isolation after 5 days if you are no longer experiencing symptoms, otherwise you should continue to self-isolate.
If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive and have received your booster, you are not obliged to self-isolate but must take a PCR or rapid test on day 5 of the exposure. If you are unvaccinated or are vaccinated but have not received your booster, you must take a PCR or rapid test and self-isolate for 5 days.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to self-isolate in your current accommodation, or Greek authorities will ask you to self-isolate in a state provided quarantine hotel. The expense of the accommodation in quarantine hotels is covered by the Greek state.
If you do not self-isolate or quarantine when required you may be fined by the Hellenic Police. The fine could be as much as €5000. For more information, click here.
France
Fully vaccinated travellers from the UK aged 12 and over must provide proof of vaccination to enter or a negative PCR test result, taken within 72 hours or an antigen test result, taken within 48 hours pre-departure.
If you test positive for Covid-19 in France and you’re fully vaccinated (including a booster) or if you’ve had Covid-19 in the last 4 months, you must self-isolate for 7 days from the day on which you first develop symptoms, or 7 days from the date of the positive test result.
Self-isolation can be reduced to 5 days if you take a negative PCR or antigen test (supervised, not self-administered) on day 5 and you have not displayed any symptoms over the previous 48 hours. These isolation rules also apply to children under the age of 12, regardless of their vaccination status.
If you’re unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and you haven’t had Covid-19 in the last 4 months, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the day on which you first develop symptoms, or 10 days from the date of the positive test result. Self-isolation can be reduced to 7 days if you take a negative PCR or antigen test (supervised, not self-administered) on day 7 and you have not displayed any symptoms over the previous 48 hours.
You will have to extend your stay until the end of your isolation period. This could be in your current accommodation. The French authorities do not provide or pay for quarantine accommodation. For more information, click here.
Italy
Covid-19 restrictions on entering Italy have been lifted. Italy does not require any proof of vaccination, a negative test result, or a Covid-19 recovery certificate to enter the country, regardless of your vaccination status.
If you are tested and the result is positive, you must immediately self-isolate in your accommodation and call your regional hotline.
You may be able to remain in your existing accommodation for self-isolation, or be required to transfer into a state hospital or other government-provided accommodation. You may be required to fund accommodation. Depending on local arrangements, travellers in groups may be spread across different accommodation locations.
If within the last 120 days you have either (a) completed a full course of vaccination OR (b) received a booster the self-isolation, you must self-isolate for 7 days. Otherwise, you must self-isolate for 10 days.
In order to be released from self-isolation, you must produce a negative test. The local health authority determines the type of test they will use and the pattern of testing. You will also need to have been symptom-free for at least 3 days.
If you continue to test positive for a variant other than Beta or Omicron, you can be released from self-isolation after 21 days. You will also need to have been symptom-free for at least 7 days. For more information, click here.
Turkey
All Covid-19 entry restrictions to Turkey have been lifted.
If you test positive for Covid-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. If you do not have a place to stay, government authorities will direct you to a designated hotel if you do not have a permanent residence. For more information, click here.
Portugal
There are no Covid vaccination or testing requirements for entry to mainland Portugal, Madeira and Porto Santo.
If you test positive for Covid-19 in Portugal, you will have to self-isolate. If you’re in mainland Portugal, you’ll have to self-isolate at your own expense for at least 7 days. For more information, click here.
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Read next:
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