A BIG change to holidays is coming this week in a last-minute boost for Brits heading abroad for half term.
All Covid tests for vaccinated holidaymakers will be scrapped from 4am on Friday, making travel much easier for Brits.
Arrivals to the UK will only need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form when they enter, as long as they are fully vaccinated.
The change will save families from forking out for lateral flow tests when they get back from a holiday.
Unvaccinated Brits will still need to show proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours before travelling, and take a PCR test when they return, as well as complete a Passenger Locator Form.
They will not need to quarantine unless the result of the PCR test is positive.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “From 4am on February 11, and in time for the half-term break, eligible, fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK will no longer have to take a post-arrival lateral flow test.
“That means after months of pre-departure testing, post-arrival testing, self-isolation and additional expense, all that fully vaccinaated people will have to do when they travel to the UK is to verify their status via Passenger Locator Form.
“We are therefore scrapping all travel tests for vaccinated people, not only making travel much easier, but also saving about £100 per family on visits abroad.”
The change comes on the day most kids in the UK will break up for half term – a popular time for families to take a trip abroad.
There’s more good news for holidaymakers as an increasing number of hotspots are scrapping test requirements – meaning vaccinated Brits can take a trip without needing a single Covid test.
Greece and Portugal are the latest countries to announce Brits no longer need a negative Covid test to enter if they are fully vaccinated.
France is expected to follow suit, as local media reported the country will scrap the Covid test requirement “in the coming days”.
As reported in The Local, Europe Minister Clément Beaune told France 2 TV: “We again required rests in December over the Omicron variant.
“In the coming days we will announce that tests are no longer needed for vaccinated people.”
However, it’s not all good news as some Brits might be banned from destinations if they haven’t had their Covid jab.
Seven European holiday hotspots have put expiration dates on vaccine certificates, so while some double jabbed Brits can still enter, if your second jab was too long ago, you won’t be allowed in unless you’ve had a booster.
These are the 33 countries Brits are still banned from due to Covid restrictions.
