How our holidays WILL take off !
Confused about the road map? Unsure whether to book a break? Just read our definitive Q&A
Q WILL I really be able to go on holiday abroad from May 17 as the Government announced this week?
A INTERNATIONAL travel is due to resume from may 17 but this depends on a Department for Transport review — to be published on April 12 — that will examine the prevalence of mutant strains of coronavirus as well as vaccine programmes in other countries. Scotland has not yet announced plans for allowing foreign holidays.
Q WHAT about travel corridors? Will these be back when the ban on travel abroad is lifted?
A THE quarantine-free ‘travel corridor’ system of last year may be reintroduced as the Government restarts holidays on a country-by-country basis. however, Paul charles, of travel consultancy Pc Agency, says: ‘Testing and digital health apps, which prove whether someone’s been vaccinated, are likely to take prominence over travel corridors.’
Q I CAN’T afford to pay the £1,750 to quarantine at a hotel. Will the ‘red list’ remain in place this summer?
A THE road map published by the Government on monday suggested restrictions, including the requirement in England for arrivals from 33 high-risk countries to quarantine in hotels, could be scrapped in may and replaced by testing. At present, all passengers arriving in Scotland on international flights must quarantine in hotels, unless exempt.
Q I WAS hoping to go on a European cruise this summer. Will that be possible?
A ‘YOU may well be able to go on a cruise this summer but there are two main hurdles,’ says the mail’s cruising expert Lesley Bellew. ‘First, the cruise industry has been treated separately from other foreign travel so a restart still depends on the Government removing specific advice against cruise travel. cruise lines say it takes at least six weeks to get ships ready for sailing, so if the April 12 travel review includes a green light for cruise ships they could set sail by the end of may.’
Q I’VE heard lots about vaccine passports. Are these likely to be introduced?
A TALKS with foreign officials over possible vaccine passports are being ramped up. Greece, Spain and cyprus have all expressed interest.
Q WHAT is the best way to guarantee I get a refund if there is another lockdown?
A PACKAGE holidays offer the best protection. You’ll be entitled to a refund within 14 days if punitive quarantine measures are put in place — at home or abroad — or your trip is cancelled. check the company you are booking with has a good track record of processing refunds. When booking a staycation, scrutinise the terms and conditions.
Q WILL EU nations have the same system for allowing travel or set their own rules?
A COUNTRIES are most likely to adopt their own restrictions. however, the Eu could introduce a one-size-fits-all policy for British tourists.
Q I’M IN my 30s and have booked a holiday in Greece in June. If I haven’t had my jab by then, will I be able to go?
A IF BORDERS are open and travel is allowed, it’s likely you will, but you may need proof of a negative test. Greek Premier Kyriakos mitsotakis said he wanted it to be ‘as easy as possible’ for those who have not been vaccinated to travel to his country.
Q I WANT to book a break in June or July. Which countries are my safest bet?
A GREECE is looking good. It was one of the first to reopen to tourism last year and is keen to roll out the red carpet to British tourists. Israel is also a strong contender for a summer getaway, having led the charge when it comes to vaccinations.
Q WHEN will I be able to go on a staycation? I would like to book a UK break.
A HOLIDAY lets and selfcontained accommodation can reopen from April 12 to people from the same household. Visiting second homes will also be allowed. hotels and B&Bs will have to wait until may 17. Scotland’s First minister said she hopes by April 26, areas of Scotland could be allowed to move down to Level 3. All holiday accommodation can open at this level but people should not travel into, or out of, a Level 3 area for holidays or visits, meaning they could only stay at accommodation within their own region.
Q WILL booking a cottage with my elderly parents, who are in my bubble, be allowed?
A YES, you can stay in selfcontained accommodation with your household and/or whoever is in your bubble.
Q WHAT about campsites? Do they have any specific rules about reopening?
A CAMPSITES with private facilities, such as en-suite bathrooms, can open from April 12. however, those with shared facilities will not reopen until at least may 17.
Q WILL airlines put on extra flights from May 17 to meet pent-up demand?
A AIRLINES are already increasing their capacity on the back of the Government’s announcement this week and are likely to continue to do so as demand increases.
Q ARE all the current holiday deals likely to stick around for a while?
A Prices are likely to increase as companies respond to demand and make up for big losses.
Q I HAVE relatives in Australia and am desperate to see them. When will I be able to travel Down Under?
A YOU could be waiting a while. Australia has pledged to keep its borders closed until its entire population has been vaccinated and the country only started its programme this week. On monday, Australia’s Tourism minister Dan Tehan said he hoped that international tourism would resume ‘by this time next year’.
Q I’VE booked a trip to New York at the end of May, will this be possible?
A UNLIKELY. President Joe Biden recently reimposed a travel ban on the UK due to fears about the new coronavirus variants. Travel between the two countries could be possible this autumn.
Q CHILDREN are not being vaccinated. Will they be able to travel abroad on holiday this year?
A THE situation is unclear. children are likely to be exempt from the vaccine requirement. While many countries will require those who have not been vaccinated to provide proof of a negative test, children under 12 will not have to.