CONSUMER CHAMPION Will Covid-19 ‘traffic light’ system stop my holiday in its tracks?
FOLLOWING the Government’s announcement of the new traffic light travel rules last week, I’ve been inundated with questions on the subject.The most common is, of course: “Is it now safe to book a holiday?”
HOW DOES THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM WORK?
The Government has divided countries into three lists: green, amber and red based on how safe they are. If your destination is in the green list, you will need to take a pre-departure test as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day two of your arrival. However, you will not have to quarantine on your return, unless you test positive.
If your destination is in the amber list, you will need to take the PCR test on days two and eight after arrival and you will need to selfisolate at home for
10 days upon your return.
The PCR test regime is the same for red list countries as it is for amber but, in addition, you will have to undergo 10 days of managed quarantine in an approved hotel upon your return.
This costs £1,750.
WILL I GET A REFUND IF MY DESTINATION COUNTRY IS MOVED FROM GREEN TO AMBER?
You’re entitled to cancel without paying any fees, and get a full refund, if the UK Foreign Office issues a warning against travelling to your holiday destination (an “FCDO warning”). This is thanks to the Package Travel Regulations. However, it does not follow that just because a country is moved from the green list that a FCDO warning will be issued. If no FCDO warning is issued, you will not be automatically entitled to a refund so it will depend on the holiday provider’s terms and conditions. If you have booked flights separately, you will only be entitled to a refund if the flight cannot go ahead. Destinations moving to amber or red will not automatically cause cancellations.
MY ADVICE
Before you book, ask the provider what its policy is in relation to destinations changing from amber or red. Where possible, choose an operator that will allow you to change your booking in these circumstances.