WHAT COVID TESTS MUST WE TAKE?
■ SOME countries require travellers aged over 12 to show proof of a negative PCR test. These are usually taken up to 72 hours of arrival and can be ordered online and returned by post, or taken at a High Street store or clinic.
■ ALL travellers aged over 11 returning to the UK must show proof of a negative ‘pre-departure’ lateral flow test, which is taken while on holiday (within 72 hours of their return to the UK). These tests can be ordered online and packed in a suitcase. Qured offers ‘pre-departure’ tests from £39 which are taken during a short video call with a nurse, with results within an hour (qured.com).
■ TRAVELLERS aged five and over returning from an amber-list country must then show proof of a negative ‘day two’ PCR test taken within 48 hours of arrival back in the UK. These can be ordered online, taken at home and returned in the post, or administered at the airport on arrival through companies such as ExpressTest, which has units at Heathrow, Gatwick and Birmingham airports (£69, expresstest.co.uk). They can also be administered at a High Street store. Boots offers ‘day two’ tests from £99 (boots.com).
■ SOME companies offer ‘testing packages’ for travel to amber-list countries. Randox, for example, offers the above three tests for £129 (randoxhealth.com).
■ ALL tests must be carried out by a governmentapproved company (list available at
sleeping six in August, flights extra (oliverstravels.com).
BARGAIN BULGARIA
EXPECT bargain prices for packages to Black Sea resorts when tourism gets up and running properly again in Bulgaria. Also expect fines of up to £450 for those who break the current ‘strictly enforced’ Covid rules. Masks must be worn at all times in indoor public spaces and outdoors when not 1.5 metres apart from others, with careful checks that proper masks are being used, not scarves tied around the face. Plastic face shields are also not permitted. However, if you are sitting in a restaurant, café or bar (open at 50 per cent capacity) it is fine not to wear a mask. Also, joggers and others exercising do not have to wear masks. Children under six do not have to wear them either. An official Emergency Epidemic Situation is in place until the end of this month. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Since the beginning of this month, Bulgaria has operated a travel traffic-light system of its own — and the UK is on its ‘orange’ list. This means that you can travel if you are double-vaccinated and have been so for 14 days before visiting. If you have a doctor’s certificate showing that you tested positive for Covid between 11 and 180 days before travel, this is accepted too. So is proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of travel or a negative antigen test taken 48 hours before. Under 12s are exempt.
LET’S GO!
Budget: Seven nights at the Hilton Sofia from £485pp on August 29 from Stansted (thomascook. com). Mid-range: Seven nights at the Riu Palace Sunny Beach from £812pp allinclusive on August 9 from Glasgow (tui.co.uk). Luxury: Seven nights at Wave Resort in Pomorie near Bourgas from £920pp all-inclusive on August 6 from Manchester (jet2holidays.com).
ESPANA: OLE!
SPAIN is our No.1 holiday destination, attracting more than 18million visitors in 2019. Currently, it is not mandatory to wear face masks in outdoor public spaces where 1.5 metres social distancing can be maintained, but they must be worn indoors and on public transport. Tourism accounts for 12 per cent of Spain’s GDP and regions are desperate to attract us back. Some regions have even begun offering free travel insurance covering foreign visitors in the event of a Covid infection, including Andalucía, the Balearic Islands and the Costa Cálida.
These policies cover visitors from overseas who stay in official tourist accommodation for medical expenses, repatriation and the accommodation costs of extending a stay should you fall ill. See andalucia.org/en/travelassistance-insurance; safetourism.illesbalears.travel/en/health-tourism and murciaturisticaes/en/covid_travel_insurance. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Double-vaccinated visitors must have proof of having had two jabs at least 14 days before travel. Those not double-vaccinated can also go to Spain if they have evidence of having taken a negative Covid PCR (or equivalent) test within 48 hours of travel (lateral flow antigen tests are not accepted). Children under 12 are free to travel without having been tested.
All visitors must complete a Health Control Form (Spain’s equivalent of the Passenger Locator Form) within 48 hours of departing for Spain. See travelsafe.spain.info.
The Balearic and Canary Islands are both on the UK Government’s ‘green’ list, so anyone can go and not have to quarantine on return to the UK. However, travellers must meet the Spanish Government’s entry requirements.
LET’S GO!
Budget: Seven nights at the Riu Costa del Sol in Torremolinos from £895pp all-inclusive, including flights, on August 18 from Gatwick (tui.co.uk). Midrange: Seven nights at the Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach resort from £1,343pp B&B on July 31 from Gatwick (sovereign.com). Luxury: Seven nights in Villa Roca, overlooking the sea in the Costa Blanca, from £5,128 per week in August, sleeping six, flights extra (oliverstravels.com).
PORTUGAL PEACE
A SPIKE in Covid cases in the past week has seen an 11pm curfew being imposed in some areas including Lisbon, Porto and Albufeira — which
may put off some. However, restaurants, cafes and bars are open with social distancing — the only difference from a usual summer being the requirement to wear masks at all times in public places, plus the 11pm cut-off in some spots. A rigorous Clean and Safe nationwide hotel policy is in place to maintain hygiene standards. More information at visitportugal.com.
Entry requirements: To avoid a 14day quarantine on arrival you must show that you have been double-vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival. Children under 12 are exempt if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult. All travellers, even those double-vaccinated, must also have taken a PCR test 72 hours prior to travel or an EU-approved antigen test 48 hours before travel.
All should complete a Passenger Locator Card before arrival as well (portugalcleanandsafe.pt).
The Portuguese Atlantic island of Madeira is on the UK Government’s ‘green’ list, so anyone may go without facing a UK quarantine on return.
However, all visitors must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel.
LET’S GO!
Budget: Seven nights at Tui Blue Falesia in Olhos d’Agua in the Algarve from £732pp half-board on August 29 from Gatwick (tui. co.uk). Mid-range: Seven nights at Albufeira Sol Hotel and Spa in the Algarve from £976pp all-inclusive on August 1 from Manchester (jet2.com). Luxury: 14 nights at Villa Camilla in the Algarve from £32,226 in August, sleeping ten, flights extra (akvillas.com).
MAKE IT MOROCCO
INTERNATIONAL flights to Morocco resumed on June 15. On entry to cafes and restaurants your temperature should be taken, you will be asked to disinfect your hands and you will be required to wear a face mask when not sitting at tables. Oneway systems are in operation. Mask-wearing is obligatory in all public places including parks and while walking on streets.
Although Covid rates are stable, Morocco has tough rules in place including a curfew from 11pm to 4am. A failure to observe restrictions could lead to a three-month prison sentence or a fine of £105.
Morocco was becoming an increasingly important Mediterranean destination for Britons before the pandemic with as many as 95 flights a week in 2019, most people visiting its colouful and lively capital, Marrakesh, as well as the Atlas Mountains. Further information: visitmorocco.com.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Doublevaccinated travellers who had their last jab at least 14 days prior to travel can enter without taking a Covid test. Other travellers must have proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours of boarding planes. Those entering by ferry must take a Covid test during the journey. Children under 11 are exempt from tests. All visitors must complete a Public Health Passenger Form before arrival (onda.ma/form.php).
LET’S GO!
Budget: Seven nights at Riu Tikida Palmeraie in Marrakesh from £724pp all-inclusive on August 9 from Manchester (firstchoice. co.uk). Mid-range: Seven nights at Riad Africa in Marrakesh from £1,197pp B&B on August 14 from Gatwick (easyjet.com). Luxury: Seven nights at Dar Tigamino near Marrakesh from £4,377 sleeping nine, flights extra (cvvillas.com).
FRENCH ADVENTURE
FRENCH Covid rules come with a Gallic twist — as well as advising you to use antibacterial hand gels regularly, avoid touching your face and not shake hands, further advice includes: ‘Do not greet people with kisses on the cheek.’ Masks must be worn indoors in public places, on public transport, in taxis and when attending open-air markets or railway stations.
Restaurants and bars have been open with social distancing since June 9, allowing groups of up to six. Yesterday, nightclubs were allowed to open their doors, too. Further information at gouvernement.fr/en/coronavirus -covid-19. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Only
adult holidaymakers who are fully vaccinated are permitted to enter France. If they are travelling with children, those under the age of 11 do not need any documentation.
Children aged 11 and over, however, will need proof of either a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of going. Visitors must also sign a ‘declaration sur l’honneur’ (sworn statement) that you do not have Covid symptoms and have not been in contact with anyone who has Covid within 14 days of departure.
LET’S GO!
Budget: Seven nights at La Villa Tosca hotel in Cannes on the French Riviera from £626pp on August 21 from Gatwick (easyjet.com). Mid-range: Seven nights at the Crowne Plaza Toulouse from £898.50pp on July 25 from Heathrow (britishairways.com). Luxury: Seven nights on a Tailor-Made Normandy trip, staying at luxury hotels in Cherbourg and Deauville, from £1,380pp B&B with ferry crossing (kirkerholidays.com).
MONTENEGRO
WITH its pretty coves featuring tucked-away beaches, its excellent seafood restaurants and historic castles, Montenegro makes a great choice — and this summer, without the crowds, it should be lovelier than ever.
There may be no current direct flights from the UK but that is due to change in the next few weeks. Face mask-wearing indoors in public places is a must, as is wearing them outdoors where you cannot keep two metres distancing; the fine for transgression is as much as £1,715. ENTRTY REQUIREMENTS: Fully vaccinated travellers who got their last jab more than 14 days ago may enter. So can those with a PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel, or those with an antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel. Under-fives are exempt.