Travel is something that is on everyone's minds lately, especially as the sector slowly re-opens.
However, as some destinations remain closed - such as Australia and Indonesia - others are starting to re-open and allow tourists back in.
Depending on where you go, there are different sets of rules which you will need to follow.
These can include the wearing of face coverings, taking covid tests or showing that you tested positive for the virus within the last six months.
Many restrictions were introduced before omicron spread throughout the country. However, at present India is one of the countries which has imposed some of the strictest restrictions in response to the latest variant, including mandatory quarantining for passengers.
In good news for holidaymakers, Turkey and Portugal have fewer restrictions, making them more accessible.
Below are the rules currently in place for UK travellers as per the latest Foreign Office travel advice.
What are the rules when travelling from the UK to India?
At present, a limited number of flights are operating between India and the UK under a bilateral agreement, with scheduled international flights remaining suspended.
If you need to travel from the UK to India, you must:
- Submit a self-declaration form online on the 'Air Suvidha' portal before you travel
- Upload a negative covid RR-PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling. This must be accompanied by a deceleration with respect to the authority of the test report
UK arrivals to New Del-hi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad must pre-book their covid test as per the guidelines according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Everyone must quarantine at home for seven days with a further PCR test taken on day eight.
If you test positive upon arrival in Delhi you will have to undergo institutional quarantine.
The advice states that "travelling parents/guardians should note that it may not always be possible for parents to have access to the child/children during their period of isolation."
What are the rules when travelling from the UK to Turkey?
Everyone aged six and over must complete an online form a maximum of 72 hours before travelling.
To enter you must show proof of either:
- Being fully vaccinated with at least 14 days since your second dose
- A negative PCR test which must be taken no more than 72 hours before entry
- A negative rapid antigen test which must be taken no more than 48 hours before entry
- Proof of a recent recovery from covid within the last six months
Children aged 11 and under are exempt.
What are the rules when travelling from the UK to Portugal?
To enter mainland Portugal you must complete an online Passenger Locator Card.
You must also present one of the following:
- A negative covid antigen test which must be taken within 48 hours of departure
- A negative RT-PCR test which must be taken within 72 hours of departure
- Your NHS or EU covid recovery certificate
To travel to to Madeira and Porto Santo, you must register on the Madeira Safe travellers platform.
If you are travelling with a child aged 11 or under, include their details in your registration.
You must also present either:
- Your NHS covid Pass (vaccination or recovery certificate) or EU digital covid vaccination or recovery certificate
- A negative antigen test which must be taken within 48 hours of departure
To enter the Azores you must:
- Complete and submit a Passenger Locator Form
- Take an RT-PCR or antigen test 72 hours or 48 hours respectively before departure and upload the negative test result to the Passenger Locator Form
Children 11 and under are not required to show proof of testing, vaccination or recovery to travel to any of the destinations above.
