How to travel safely in the Covid era by choosing Irish firms
Book with a company that is established in Ireland to avoid any refund trouble
These few weeks are normally the most popular to book a summer holiday. ‘Blue Monday’ just gone was originally coined by travel agents seeing bookings spike.
Dreary weather, post Christmas slump and the first pay packet of the year has us longing for sun, sea and sand. But 2021 is not a normal year.
Still in the grips of Covid-19 despite the vaccine rollout, nobody really knows whether travel is on the cards for summer.
There is lots of confusing information out there regarding Covid tests, traffic lights, insurance and refunds, so here’s the latest:
You are free to fly in and out of the country (although with a 5k restriction you might have trouble getting to the airport). The official Government advice is to only travel for necessary reasons, but airlines are flying nonetheless, including to popular winter-sun holiday destinations like the Canaries.
The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) says bookings have been minimal so far, due in part to the slow rollout of vaccinations and consumers lingering fears surrounding Covid-19. “The majority of bookings being made are from consumers rescheduling trips which were due to take place in 2020, disrupted by the outbreak of the pandemic. Most bookings are being made for the latter part of 2021,” it says.
It advises consumers to book with a company established in Ireland. Many found to their cost that trying to get refunds from UK and EU-based travel agents proved challenging.
“Carefully read all terms and conditions before making a booking, as different airlines have different policies surrounding flight disruptions and cancellations”.
Aer Lingus currently allows multiple free flight changes to 30 September, while Ryanair allows one free change for flights booked before 31 January 2021 until 30 September, and not within 7 days of flying. In both cases you can be charged the fare difference. Traffic Light
The new EU system introduced last October attempts to streamline policy across the continent, most of which is currently designated Red (high risk). Each member state gets to decide its own requirements for testing, so for example, Irish people coming into Germany or Spain must have a negative test 48 before arriving. The Netherlands needs two tests: PCR and antigen at the airport. Check the map and updates at reopen.europa.eu. Flying Home
Since January 16 it has been mandatory to have a negative result from a Covid-19 PCR test (other tests are invalid) before entering or returning to Ireland.
Under-6s and some transit workers are exempt, as are those travelling from Northern Ireland. See panel for different test types, costs and locations.
You are required to complete a passenger locator form on arrival and restrict your movements from Red zones for 14 days (5 with a negative PCR test). Travellers from Great Britain, South Africa and South America are high risk and must fully isolate (in one room) for 14 days, irrespective.
Ciaran Mulligan of thefabuloustraveller.com says there are bargains to be had. “Once vaccinations speed up, prices will rocket! There are plenty of bargains out there now, including Canaries for March/ April/May, European cities for early/mid summer, business class seats deals to the States.
My recommendation would be to pop into your local travel agent – they offer protection if something goes wrong”.
He advises to book accommodation which allows cancellation within 48 hours of arrival. The EU is safest at present. A ‘Green’ country requires no quarantine, Amber likewise, with a negative PCR test before you return, while Red countries mean you must quarantine for 14 days (5 with a negative PCR test . Insurance Whatever your travel plans you’d be completely foolish to go anywhere without dedicated travel insurance this year. But what does it do?
Ian Kennedy from Blue Insurance which trades as Multitrip.com says: “The traffic light system is not in any way related to travel insurance. Insurers work off Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice and the positive news is that EU countries are moved to “high degree of caution” from “avoid non-essential” status. That means your insurance will cover you regardless of ‘red’, amber etc.
“For countries outside the EU, ‘avoid non essential’ travel remains in place, so no cover at all is provided by our policies if you travel anyway.”
If EU status changes to the highest alert, insurance won’t cover you either, so best check the DFA website (dfa.ie).
He adds if you insure the trip when you book and receive a Covid-19 positive diagnosis before you go. “Multitrip.com policies will cover cancellation up to the limits on your policy for you, a travel companion or any person you have arranged to stay with during your trip if you/ they receive a diagnosis of Covid-19 within 14 days of the start of the trip.
“Cover would not apply if you are required to self-isolate or denied boarding without a positive Covid-19 diagnosis”.
It’s always best to check T&Cs in any event.
Each member state gets to decide its own rules