In recent days, there have been several stories in the media about holidaymakers being refused travel over incorrect Covid-19 documents.
While international travel was able to resume earlier this month when England entered the next phase of the roadmap out of lockdown, some restrictions and requirements around travel still remain in place.
Since Monday, May 17, there are now 12 countries that people can visit without quarantining on their return to the UK.
However, travellers still need to provide a negative covid-19 test result to enter England, as well as taking a second test on or before day 2 after they arrive. You can read the follow government guidance to enter the UK here and we have also put together a list of some places that are offering covid tests privately in Bristol.
We also put together a list of some of the flights from Bristol Airport to countries in the green list and here are the entry requirements for the green list countries you can fly to from Bristol:
(The information provided below has been obtained from the UK government website and is accurate as of May 27, but requirements may change at short notice)
Portugal
On the date you travel, your passport must have both at least 6 months left before it expires, and be less than 10 years old, according to the UK government website.
It adds: "All passengers, excluding children up to the age of two, travelling to or through Portugal in transit, must show a negative RT-PCR test result for COVID-19 at the time of boarding. The test must have been taken within 72 hours of departure.
"Your airline is likely to deny boarding if you cannot provide this at check-in.
"All passengers travelling to Portugal will be subject to health screening on arrival. If your temperature is 38C or over or you show signs of being unwell, you may be required to take a further RT-PCR COVID-19 test and remain at the airport until you receive your test result.
"You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.
"Make sure you have a COVID-19 test that uses the RT-PCR methodology. Check your test result identifies the type of test taken and gives your name, date of birth, the date and time the sample was collected and the date of the result."
Before you arrive in the Azores, Madeira and Porto Santo, you must complete and submit a traveller questionnaire (this one for Azores and this one for Madeira or Porto Santo), as well as taking a COVID-19 test 72 hours before you travel and upload your test result, it explains. Make sure you have a test that uses the RT-PCR methodology.
If you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days, or have had both doses of the vaccine at least 15 days prior to travel, you will be exempt from showing a RT-PCR COVID-19 test on entry. If you live in England, Madeira will accept your NHS letter to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status. Other travellers will need to show a medical report as evidence of your status. You cannot use a handwritten NHS COVID card as proof of vaccination for travel purposes.
Gibraltar
The UK Government says on their website that: "If you have only been in countries or territories on the green list in the 14 days preceding your arrival in Gibraltar, you must book a free COVID-19 lateral flow test before arriving in Gibraltar. The test must take place within 24 hours of your arrival.
"If you are remaining in Gibraltar for more than 7 days, you must also take a second test on day 5. You do not need to provide evidence of vaccination, or self-isolate.
"However if you have been to a country on the amber or red list in the previous 14 days, you must book your COVID-19 tests before your arrival, and if you have not been fully vaccinated, you will need to self-isolate on arrival in Gibraltar.
"In all instances you must complete a Passenger Locator Form."
If you live in England, Gibraltar will accept the NHS app or your NHS letter to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status.
Please see the official Gibraltar Tourist Board website which provides comprehensive information about the requirements in respect of COVID-19 for travelling to Gibraltar, including information on how to book your COVID-19 tests before you arrive.
Iceland
Non-essential travel by British citizens from the UK/other non EU/EEA country to Iceland is only permitted if you are resident in Iceland or can adequately demonstrate you have either been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or previously recovered from COVID-19 infection.
All travellers must pre-register before arrival.
The Government explains: "If you have had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine, you will only be required to have a test on arrival and follow quarantine measures until the result is known (usually within 24 hours).
"If you live in England, Iceland will accept the NHS app or your NHS letter to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status.
"Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.
"Certificates of previous infection must be a PCR test or antibody test by ELISA blood serum test and meet Iceland’s criteria."
If you do not have an acceptable certificate of vaccination or of previous infection, and are not a resident of Iceland, there are only a very limited number of essential reasons for which you will be given permission to travel.
When flying into Iceland without a certificate of vaccination or previous infection you must follow these steps:
- present a negative PCR taken within 72 hours of your time of departure to Iceland (or get a ISK 100,000 fine for residents or a refusal of entry for visitors)
- take 2 COVID-19 tests, one on arrival and another 5 to 6 days later,
- quarantine between tests, until you have the results
Full guidance can be found in English on the Iceland website.
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