Pauline
Forums Admin
I keep losing track of the current travel in Europe situation for Brits, so I am making a thread about it and will keep it updated.
Updated July 28
UK LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
Lockdown restrictions end on July 19. No more masks, no more social distancing, everything is open. However, cases of the Delta variant are rising here so caution is urged. In my area, Dorset, many businesses are requesting that you still wear a mask when in their premises and some are keeping social distancing.
UK TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
As of July 19 Brits can travel to amber and green countries and do not have to quarantine on return. You need a negative COVID test to enter England and must have a day 2 test scheduled.
From the UK government site:
Changes to international travel rules for amber list countries
From 4am, Monday 19 July, the government will no longer recommend against travel to amber list countries. People covered by the amber list rules, who have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, will not need to quarantine on arrival in England or take a COVID-19 test on day 8.
Except FRANCE which is amber+. You must quarantine when returning from France even if you are vaccinated.
You are responsible for organising your own COVID-19 test, in line with UK government testing requirements. You should contact local authorities for information on testing facilities.
You cannot transit France!! This is a big change from last summer when we were able to drive across France without stopping and mixing with other people to avoid quarantine because we were coming from a country where quarantine was not required. This is what it says on the UK website:
From the Gov.UK website July 28, 2021: "France is on the amber list for entering England. From 19 July anyone arriving from France (including those transiting through France) to England must continue to quarantine for 10 days at home or in other accommodation, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Check what you must do to enter England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland."
CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES BY THE UK (TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM)
The traffic light system determines what happens when people arrive in the UK or when UK residents return home. Most of Europe is on the amber list.
WHICH COUNTRIES IN EUROPE WILL ALLOW UK RESIDENTS TO ENTER
France: YES “Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival.” You musttake a test (a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure, or a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours of departure) and sign a statement. This is for all travelers from the France list of amber countries. The UK is currently amber. The US, Canada and Australia are green.
Italy: YES with quarantine. June 19: Italy announces that UK visitors now have to quarantine for 5 days on arrival because of the spread of the delta variant in the UK.
YES "From 7 April, entry to Italy from the UK is no longer restricted to Italian residents and those with absolute necessity. However, COVID-19 measures continue to apply. If you wish to fly, you must present the airline with a negative COVID-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test taken no more than 48 hours before travel.
From 16 May until 30 July there is no longer a requirement to quarantine on arrival in Italy, unless travellers arrive without proof of a negative test. Travellers arriving without a negative test will need to self-isolate for 10 days and undertake a test at the end of the isolation period." What happens if you arrive by car?
Spain: YES "From 24 May, entry restrictions and testing requirements for arrivals from the UK to Spain no longer apply."
Switzerland: YES June 26 opens to vaccinated Americans and Brits.
NO "Travelers from the UK are not permitted entry to So Switzerland." EU and EFTA nationals are allowed. Switzerland is reviewing its entry requirements and will be announcing changes at the end of June.
LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Some countries require proof of vaccination status for entry to events, restaurants, etc. Your NHS app gets you into the country at the border but does not get you into events, etc. For that you need a paper version of your vaccination information from the NHS and the country‘s Covid app which will use the QR code on your printed letter. BUT the app reads your NHS QR Code but does not verify it because the UK has not joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate Scheme so you may not get into places. More about this in the Twitter thread below.
Get your letter here:
This long thread on Twitter gives more details.
View: https://twitter.com/jonworth/status/1420295415971319811?s=21
NEW EU TRAVEL RULES
I have written an article on the new rules for UK residents traveling to the EU:
Updated July 28
UK LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS
Lockdown restrictions end on July 19. No more masks, no more social distancing, everything is open. However, cases of the Delta variant are rising here so caution is urged. In my area, Dorset, many businesses are requesting that you still wear a mask when in their premises and some are keeping social distancing.
Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19
Guidance for living safely with respiratory infections, including coronavirus (COVID-19).
www.gov.uk
UK TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
As of July 19 Brits can travel to amber and green countries and do not have to quarantine on return. You need a negative COVID test to enter England and must have a day 2 test scheduled.
From the UK government site:
Changes to international travel rules for amber list countries
From 4am, Monday 19 July, the government will no longer recommend against travel to amber list countries. People covered by the amber list rules, who have been fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, will not need to quarantine on arrival in England or take a COVID-19 test on day 8.
Except FRANCE which is amber+. You must quarantine when returning from France even if you are vaccinated.
You are responsible for organising your own COVID-19 test, in line with UK government testing requirements. You should contact local authorities for information on testing facilities.
You cannot transit France!! This is a big change from last summer when we were able to drive across France without stopping and mixing with other people to avoid quarantine because we were coming from a country where quarantine was not required. This is what it says on the UK website:
From the Gov.UK website July 28, 2021: "France is on the amber list for entering England. From 19 July anyone arriving from France (including those transiting through France) to England must continue to quarantine for 10 days at home or in other accommodation, even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Check what you must do to enter England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland."
France travel advice
Latest FCDO travel advice for France including on entry requirements, safety and security and local laws and customs.
www.gov.uk
CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES BY THE UK (TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM)
The traffic light system determines what happens when people arrive in the UK or when UK residents return home. Most of Europe is on the amber list.
- Travelers from Green countries can enter but need tests before and after they arrive.
- Travelers from Amber countries must take a test before arrival, and a day 2 test after arrival and do not quarantine (except for France where quarantine on arrival is required)
quarantine for 10 days in the place they are staying in the UK and take 2 tests during that time. Note that France is amber+. Even if vaccinated you must quarantine when returning from France - Travelers from Red countries must quarantine in a government run quarantine hotel and take various tests.
WHICH COUNTRIES IN EUROPE WILL ALLOW UK RESIDENTS TO ENTER
France: YES “Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival.” You must
France travel advice
Latest FCDO travel advice for France including on entry requirements, safety and security and local laws and customs.
www.gov.uk
Coming to France? Your Covid-19 questions answered
French people who are living abroad, travelling or returning from abroad, as well as visitors from abroad, will find answers below to frequently (…)
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
Italy: YES with quarantine. June 19: Italy announces that UK visitors now have to quarantine for 5 days on arrival because of the spread of the delta variant in the UK.
From 16 May until 30 July there is no longer a requirement to quarantine on arrival in Italy, unless travellers arrive without proof of a negative test. Travellers arriving without a negative test will need to self-isolate for 10 days and undertake a test at the end of the isolation period." What happens if you arrive by car?
Italy travel advice
Latest FCDO travel advice for Italy including on entry requirements, safety and security and local laws and customs.
www.gov.uk
Spain: YES "From 24 May, entry restrictions and testing requirements for arrivals from the UK to Spain no longer apply."
Spain travel advice
FCDO travel advice for Spain. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
www.gov.uk
Switzerland: YES June 26 opens to vaccinated Americans and Brits.
Switzerland travel advice
FCDO travel advice for Switzerland. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.
www.gov.uk
The SEM
www.sem.admin.ch
LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
Some countries require proof of vaccination status for entry to events, restaurants, etc. Your NHS app gets you into the country at the border but does not get you into events, etc. For that you need a paper version of your vaccination information from the NHS and the country‘s Covid app which will use the QR code on your printed letter. BUT the app reads your NHS QR Code but does not verify it because the UK has not joined the EU Digital Covid Certificate Scheme so you may not get into places. More about this in the Twitter thread below.
Get your letter here:
This long thread on Twitter gives more details.
View: https://twitter.com/jonworth/status/1420295415971319811?s=21
NEW EU TRAVEL RULES
I have written an article on the new rules for UK residents traveling to the EU:
Miscellaneous - Requirements for UK residents traveling to the EU have changed because of Brexit
Brexit has changed a lot of things for UK travelers. The UK is no longer part of the EU and UK travelers to the EU are now treated like all other non-EU travelers. I have outlined the most important below. To Enter an EU Country: You may need to show proof of accommodation reservations or a...
www.sloweurope.com
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