People are looking forward to jetting away on their summer holidays as international travel reopens on July 19, but what has Covid changed about the way we travel to our favourite holiday destinations?
A recent survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office revealed that almost 50% of Irish people plan to travel abroad this year.
As the vaccination programme continues to gain momentum across Europe, things are gradually beginning to reopen. However, it will take some time before travel abroad returns to normality.
Here is the latest news on travel:
EU Digital Covid Certificate
Irish citizens will be allowed to travel abroad from July 19, when Ireland will begin to use the EU Digital Covid Certificate.
The Green Cert will provide proof of whether a passenger has had their vaccines, has received a negative Covid test or that they have recovered from Covid, allowing them to travel freely within the EU.
The Green Cert will be free; however, the negative test needed to obtain the cert in Ireland has sparked controversy among travellers as they can cost up to €200 per person.
Spanish restrictions
Spain reopened its borders this week, allowing international tourists to visit the much-loved holiday destination.
Visitors will be permitted to enter Spain if they have been administered the full dose of a Covid vaccine approved by the WHO more than 14 days before travel.
Tourists travelling from low-risk countries will not have to provide proof of vaccination, negative test or recovery, but they will have to fill out a travel form.
A spokesperson from the Spanish Government said, “At ports and airports, there will be two control points. Whoever comes from countries or zones not included on the list of risk zones will have access to a quick control with the QR code obtained from SpTH (Spanish Travel Health).
“And once the EU Digital Covid certificate goes into effect, whoever has this document will also have access to this quick control.”
Travel from India, Brazil, and South Africa is prohibited even for fully vaccinated people due to Covid variant concerns.
Travel to Portugal
Portugal reopened their borders on May 17 to tourists; however, all visitors must follow the countries travel guidelines.
Regardless of your vaccination status, all passengers are required to have a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel.
Passengers must also complete a Passenger Locator Form before they arrive in Portugal.
Travel to Portugal next month may be somewhat risky as rising Covid cases has urged the UK Government to remove Portugal from its Green List.
This may lead to Ireland putting Portugal on its designated hotel quarantine list when borders reopen.
