spitfire
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I don’t think they apply it to étrangers lol
France 2021
- Thread starter Trappa
- Start date
Northernraider
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Yes pretty much ....its hard enough working out and keeping track of changes in 2 countries so ive kind of dismissed going through others. Although the temptation to avoid france is high ...theres also weather in some areas im unsure about ie Switzerland and tolls for over 3.5 etc ..
Its just a bit overwhelming with all the things to remember , forms , tests , curfews , tolls etc etc and then trying to plan ahead and book vets and tunnels etc ....easier i guess if 2 of you but on my own its a lot of information to process etc ....was never much one for planning and booking ...i normally fly by the seat of my pants.
Ive now kind of just got in the mindset of once i leave greece getting home ASAP ...neither italy or france looks nice places to be just now as you cant do anything anyway..
In truth its not felt like a lockdown etc down here .....other than not being able to eat out etc not much has changed for me
suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
I think they effect etrangers, just like our rules and laws seem to have an effect on strangers.
In the words of Mike Atherton for not walking when obviously out in Australia "When in Rome"
spitfire
Free Member
Ha ha but remember here guilty till proven innocent lol
suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
At least you give a trial !!!!!!
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spitfire
Free Member
And we don’t have the guillotine any more lol
Ok off to have my tea
Thanks for the banter
suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
In hind side, perhaps heading north east would of been better. Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania its free travel at the moment. Had a colleague came from Germany last week no hassle and no quarantine. This Wednesday she’s returning back to Germany saying that Austria and Germany are lifting the Covid requirement at entry. She will keep me informed when she’s back to Germany. My trip is coming up soon and I will be testing in Germany for the France and UK requirement.
Todays update.
ByGreg Dickinson, DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER8 March 2021 • 1:00pm
Iceland has begun issuing digital certificates to citizens who have been vaccinated CREDIT: Getty
Vaccine certificates for Britons who want to verify their Covid inoculations are to be developed by the Government, after reportedly being backed by Cabinet ministers.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, boss of the Global Travel Taskforce, will lead work on options for the certificates, which would operate in a similar way to yellow fever cards. They are being prepared in anticipation of an agreed international system for countries to accept certificates as a condition of entry for travellers.
Plans are in place to offer all adult Britons their first dose of vaccine by 31 July, though any vaccine passport would not likely be granted until the second jab is administered.
A Digital Health Pass app, devised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will be ready "within weeks", developers have said. The technology will enable air passengers to prove their vaccination status before travelling, and IATA is reportedly in talks with the UK Government, too.
The Seychelles is already welcoming back vaccinated travellers (and will open to all visitors from March 25) and Cyprus will permit entry to tourists who have received both doses of an approved vaccine from May 1 (see more below). Neither has secured a vaccine passport agreement with the UK, however.
But in some countries the development of vaccine passports is already underway.
British holidaymakers with proof of vaccination will be able to travel to Greece as early as May, under plans currently being discussed in Athens.
Under the fast-tracked scheme, Greece would be breaking from the European Union, which is pushing for a cautious approach to reopening for non-essential travel from outside the bloc.
Greece has already forged a ‘vaccine bubble’ agreement with Israel and Cyprus, meaning vaccinated people will be able to travel between the countries without the need to quarantine.
Under the UK Government’s roadmap, issued on Monday, the earliest date that international holidays will resume is May 17 CREDIT: Getty
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed his support for a common vaccination passport to be rolled out across the EU, to help reboot tourism on the Continent. Brussels has been hesitant – with some flagging concerns about discrimination and privacy.
During a meeting in Jerusalem, Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to create a travel corridor. Netanyahu noted it would permit travel “without any limitations, no self-isolation, nothing.”
“I expect what we will be doing with Israel to be a trial run of what we can do with other countries,” Mitsotakis said.
It is reported that Cyprus will soon be involved in the travel arrangement with Greece and Israel, commencing on April 1.
Spain and Portugal – ‘Vaccine certification is inevitable'
Spain is eyeing a return to tourism in May, aided by vaccine passports. The Balearic Islands' Minister for Tourism, Iago Negueruela, told Telegraph Travel: "The Balearic Islands has proposed to Spain’s central government that the archipelago becomes one of the first places where the vaccine passport is trialled.
“We are gradually reopening the economy, and we hope to kick start the tourism season in May. We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure a safe return to tourism so that we are ready for when British visitors are able to travel once more.”
Spain’s foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez has joined calls for an EU-wide vaccine certification to ease travel across the continent. This comes after the country controversially announced it would be compiling a database of vaccine refusers, which it would share with the European Union.
The Balearic islands want to trial Spain's vaccine passport scheme first CREDIT: Getty
“Vaccine certification is something we are going towards inevitably,” Gonzalez told RNE radio station. “It will be a very important element to guarantee a safe return to mobility.” She said that the document should be coordinated at a European or even global level, and predicted that the certificate could enable people to travel into different countries – as the PCR tests do now.
Neighbouring Portugal’s Interior Minister Eduardo Cabrita has said vaccine certificates would be easier to manage than existing Covid requirements. Certificates “should act as proof of security and do away with certain requirements at borders — in particular, the requirement for PCR tests,” he said.
Iceland – issuing certificates to its vaccinated population
Last week, Iceland began distributing digital vaccine passes to its fully-dosed citizens. The country had already dropped its quarantine restrictions for arrivals who can prove they have had Covid-19; if you land with an antibody test that is no more than 14 days old, you are free to explore.
"The aim is to facilitate the movement of people between countries so that the individuals can show a vaccination certificate during border checks and be exempt from border restrictions," the ministry said.
Bahrain – an early adopter
Bahrain's BeAware app allows citizens to prove their immunity status two weeks after receiving both doses of the jab.
The green 'Covid-19 Vaccinated' shield is accompanied by an official certificate detailing the user's name, date of birth, nationality and which vaccine they received.
Authorities can verify its validity by scanning a QR code linking to the national vaccine register.
Denmark – ‘This is fundamental’, working on the rollout
Denmark has announced plans for an imminent digital vaccine certification. “Denmark is still hard hit by the corona pandemic,” said Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s acting finance minister. "But there are parts of Danish society that need to move forward, and a business community that needs to be able to travel."
Denmark is developing vaccine passports, which could be ready by the end of the month CREDIT: Getty
"We have more than 800,000 jobs in Denmark that are linked to trading with the world so this is fundamental" he told CNN. "This is fundamental because if we want to start to export again and trading again, see business people meet again, things like the corona passport are fundamental to making that happen," he said.
Sweden – ‘Certificates must be recognised around the world’
As with its neighbour, Sweden is planning a digital vaccine passports scheme by the summer. “For certificates to work internationally, they must be recognised by countries around the world,” said social minister Lena Hallengren.
The airlines trialling the technology
In partnership with the International Air Transport Association, Emirates is one of the first airlines worldwide to trail the IATA Travel Pass, which comes in the form of a mobile app. The pass will allow passengers to create a digital passport to verify their pre-travel Covid test or vaccination meets the requirements of their destination. IATA is reportedly in talks with the UK Government, too.
Other airlines trialling the app include Etihad, Air New Zealand and Qatar Airways, and RwandAir is the first African carrier to do so. The full technology will be ready "within weeks", developers have said.
The Seychelles has announced that all tourists (except those coming from South Africa) will be welcome from March 25. Quarantine will be waived, although a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to the country will be required.
Cyprus
Cyprus is to open to all visitors who have received both doses of an approved Covid vaccine from May 1. The second dose of a vaccine should be administered at the latest seven days before travel. Authorities may still carry out random tests on arrivals.
Cyprus will welcome fully vaccinated arrivals from May 1 CREDIT: Shutterstock
Estonia
Estonia said it will waive mandatory quarantine for travellers who can provide proof of vaccination or who can prove they have recovered from the virus in the previous six months.
Georgia
"Citizens of all countries, travelling by air from any country may enter Georgia if they present the document confirming the full course (two doses) of any Covid-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia," said the Georgian Government.
Hungary is among the countries saying it will welcome in vaccinated arrivals CREDIT: Getty
Hungary
Hungary’s government said it could require visitors to prove their vaccination status to gain access to the country via an app showing immunity to Covid-19. "The need for citizens to provide proof that they have gained protection against the coronavirus is increasing all over the world," a government spokesperson said.
Romania
The country's National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU) said that people coming from countries or areas of high risk, or who have come into direct contact with someone who’s tested positive for Covid, are exempt from quarantine measures if they are fully vaccinated.
Related T
The countries already rolling out vaccine passports
Vaccine travel passes could reboot international travel – these are the countries already adopting the technologyByGreg Dickinson, DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER8 March 2021 • 1:00pm
Iceland has begun issuing digital certificates to citizens who have been vaccinated CREDIT: Getty
Vaccine certificates for Britons who want to verify their Covid inoculations are to be developed by the Government, after reportedly being backed by Cabinet ministers.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, boss of the Global Travel Taskforce, will lead work on options for the certificates, which would operate in a similar way to yellow fever cards. They are being prepared in anticipation of an agreed international system for countries to accept certificates as a condition of entry for travellers.
Plans are in place to offer all adult Britons their first dose of vaccine by 31 July, though any vaccine passport would not likely be granted until the second jab is administered.
A Digital Health Pass app, devised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will be ready "within weeks", developers have said. The technology will enable air passengers to prove their vaccination status before travelling, and IATA is reportedly in talks with the UK Government, too.
The Seychelles is already welcoming back vaccinated travellers (and will open to all visitors from March 25) and Cyprus will permit entry to tourists who have received both doses of an approved vaccine from May 1 (see more below). Neither has secured a vaccine passport agreement with the UK, however.
But in some countries the development of vaccine passports is already underway.
The countries with vaccine passports in development
Greece – open to vaccinated Britons in May?British holidaymakers with proof of vaccination will be able to travel to Greece as early as May, under plans currently being discussed in Athens.
Under the fast-tracked scheme, Greece would be breaking from the European Union, which is pushing for a cautious approach to reopening for non-essential travel from outside the bloc.
Greece has already forged a ‘vaccine bubble’ agreement with Israel and Cyprus, meaning vaccinated people will be able to travel between the countries without the need to quarantine.
Under the UK Government’s roadmap, issued on Monday, the earliest date that international holidays will resume is May 17 CREDIT: Getty
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has expressed his support for a common vaccination passport to be rolled out across the EU, to help reboot tourism on the Continent. Brussels has been hesitant – with some flagging concerns about discrimination and privacy.
During a meeting in Jerusalem, Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to create a travel corridor. Netanyahu noted it would permit travel “without any limitations, no self-isolation, nothing.”
“I expect what we will be doing with Israel to be a trial run of what we can do with other countries,” Mitsotakis said.
It is reported that Cyprus will soon be involved in the travel arrangement with Greece and Israel, commencing on April 1.
Spain and Portugal – ‘Vaccine certification is inevitable'
Spain is eyeing a return to tourism in May, aided by vaccine passports. The Balearic Islands' Minister for Tourism, Iago Negueruela, told Telegraph Travel: "The Balearic Islands has proposed to Spain’s central government that the archipelago becomes one of the first places where the vaccine passport is trialled.
“We are gradually reopening the economy, and we hope to kick start the tourism season in May. We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure a safe return to tourism so that we are ready for when British visitors are able to travel once more.”
Spain’s foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez has joined calls for an EU-wide vaccine certification to ease travel across the continent. This comes after the country controversially announced it would be compiling a database of vaccine refusers, which it would share with the European Union.
The Balearic islands want to trial Spain's vaccine passport scheme first CREDIT: Getty
“Vaccine certification is something we are going towards inevitably,” Gonzalez told RNE radio station. “It will be a very important element to guarantee a safe return to mobility.” She said that the document should be coordinated at a European or even global level, and predicted that the certificate could enable people to travel into different countries – as the PCR tests do now.
Neighbouring Portugal’s Interior Minister Eduardo Cabrita has said vaccine certificates would be easier to manage than existing Covid requirements. Certificates “should act as proof of security and do away with certain requirements at borders — in particular, the requirement for PCR tests,” he said.
Iceland – issuing certificates to its vaccinated population
Last week, Iceland began distributing digital vaccine passes to its fully-dosed citizens. The country had already dropped its quarantine restrictions for arrivals who can prove they have had Covid-19; if you land with an antibody test that is no more than 14 days old, you are free to explore.
"The aim is to facilitate the movement of people between countries so that the individuals can show a vaccination certificate during border checks and be exempt from border restrictions," the ministry said.
Bahrain – an early adopter
Bahrain's BeAware app allows citizens to prove their immunity status two weeks after receiving both doses of the jab.
The green 'Covid-19 Vaccinated' shield is accompanied by an official certificate detailing the user's name, date of birth, nationality and which vaccine they received.
Authorities can verify its validity by scanning a QR code linking to the national vaccine register.
Denmark – ‘This is fundamental’, working on the rollout
Denmark has announced plans for an imminent digital vaccine certification. “Denmark is still hard hit by the corona pandemic,” said Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s acting finance minister. "But there are parts of Danish society that need to move forward, and a business community that needs to be able to travel."
Denmark is developing vaccine passports, which could be ready by the end of the month CREDIT: Getty
"We have more than 800,000 jobs in Denmark that are linked to trading with the world so this is fundamental" he told CNN. "This is fundamental because if we want to start to export again and trading again, see business people meet again, things like the corona passport are fundamental to making that happen," he said.
Sweden – ‘Certificates must be recognised around the world’
As with its neighbour, Sweden is planning a digital vaccine passports scheme by the summer. “For certificates to work internationally, they must be recognised by countries around the world,” said social minister Lena Hallengren.
The airlines trialling the technology
In partnership with the International Air Transport Association, Emirates is one of the first airlines worldwide to trail the IATA Travel Pass, which comes in the form of a mobile app. The pass will allow passengers to create a digital passport to verify their pre-travel Covid test or vaccination meets the requirements of their destination. IATA is reportedly in talks with the UK Government, too.
Other airlines trialling the app include Etihad, Air New Zealand and Qatar Airways, and RwandAir is the first African carrier to do so. The full technology will be ready "within weeks", developers have said.
The countries opening their doors to vaccinated travellers
SeychellesThe Seychelles has announced that all tourists (except those coming from South Africa) will be welcome from March 25. Quarantine will be waived, although a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to the country will be required.
Cyprus
Cyprus is to open to all visitors who have received both doses of an approved Covid vaccine from May 1. The second dose of a vaccine should be administered at the latest seven days before travel. Authorities may still carry out random tests on arrivals.
Cyprus will welcome fully vaccinated arrivals from May 1 CREDIT: Shutterstock
Estonia
Estonia said it will waive mandatory quarantine for travellers who can provide proof of vaccination or who can prove they have recovered from the virus in the previous six months.
Georgia
"Citizens of all countries, travelling by air from any country may enter Georgia if they present the document confirming the full course (two doses) of any Covid-19 vaccination at the border checkpoints of Georgia," said the Georgian Government.
Hungary is among the countries saying it will welcome in vaccinated arrivals CREDIT: Getty
Hungary
Hungary’s government said it could require visitors to prove their vaccination status to gain access to the country via an app showing immunity to Covid-19. "The need for citizens to provide proof that they have gained protection against the coronavirus is increasing all over the world," a government spokesperson said.
Romania
The country's National Committee for Emergency Situations (CNSU) said that people coming from countries or areas of high risk, or who have come into direct contact with someone who’s tested positive for Covid, are exempt from quarantine measures if they are fully vaccinated.
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we are near that date
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You have nearly 2 months. Should get your jab before you travel
Good news my vaccine tomorrow and second first week in May and hubby will get his next week
Assuming everything go's well in the UK deaths are low, new cases in the low 1000s come May17th, there's no doubt some restrictions on foreign travel will be lifted. My concern would be returning to the UK, its not to the UKs advantage to allow cash to flow out helping other economy's I can't see Q10 and testing being lifted for those still working.
suavecarve
LIFE MEMBER
Can you see Q10 being enforced upon UK double jabbed citizens returning to UK from a country with similar infection rates than UK.
Last year we were allowed back in without Q14 and there was no vaccine and no rise in infections (until late September)
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I was wondering how low the cases have to be and for how long before the UK may lift the Red band for the UAE.
Last few days here it's been just over 2000 (today 2200). Dropped from nearly 4000 2/3 weeks ago.
Last few days here it's been just over 2000 (today 2200). Dropped from nearly 4000 2/3 weeks ago.
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Time will tell, my instinct is the government are being a lot more cautious this time (data before dates, look to see how lifting affects casses) and in doing so not hurting the economy in the process, I give you if other countries are in the same place as us we will have less of a argument for keeping them in place.
Their population is about 10m so pro rata its the equivalent of 12k cases a day here so still a bit higher. I think it would have to be the same as here or lower to come off the list and without significant incidence of new variants. But who knows how they decide?
Steve N Tracy
LIFE MEMBER
Apparantly this is going to be ratified on Friday.
http://news.sky.com/story/france-to...ions-boosting-uk-holidaymakers-hopes-12242734
http://news.sky.com/story/france-to...ions-boosting-uk-holidaymakers-hopes-12242734
138go
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The information asked for, just isn't available. We have the Dover to Calais ferry booked for the beginning of September but who knows?
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We have rebooked last years deferred holiday to south west France last week in August. Campsite allowed us to defer no problems last year. I really can't see there being a problem. But who knows. To be honest I'm waiting to announce my retirement but until restrictions are lifted might as well keep working.
France eases border restrictions with the UK https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ons-UK.html?ito=native_share_article-masthead
Northernraider
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I refuse to ever count the daily mail as factual news.
France eases border restrictions with the UK https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ons-UK.html?ito=native_share_article-masthead
Im amazed at greece to be honest as their cases are on the rise again and at a horrendous rate. Having seen how busy it is in patras today though im not surprised ...ive not seen so many people since last year
just read it on the bbc news as well.
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Just need waiver to allow our bulging fridge with basic essentials in 
Todays update:
ByOliver Smith12 March 2021 • 8:52am
That's Barbados by the way, not France CREDIT: Getty
Holidays are banned, and even essential travel comes with a whole heap of severe restrictions, including a requirement to take a Covid test before you return to the UK and two after you get home, where you must isolate for 10 days. It’s as if we’re suddenly living in the Soviet Union.
That could change on May 17, however, the date when – according to the lockdown exit strategy – overseas trips could be allowed again. How generous.
Even if foreign trips get the green light, however, not all of the world will be open to us. Many countries are still blocking UK arrivals over the new Kent variant (as well as South Africans over the South African variant, and Brazilians over the Brazilian variant), which is believed to be more infectious but won’t dodge the vaccines.
Here are the countries that are already rolling out the red carpet, or will be soon.
French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne announced that restrictions for arrivals from Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore will also be eased.
“The list includes Britain, because the UK variant now also circulates widely in France,” he said on Twitter.
Arrivals will still need to show evidence of a negative Covid test taken in the previous 72 hours.
“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021,” said Greek tourism minister Harry Theocharis this week. “Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”
The news will further bolster bookings, with tour operators and hotels in Greece already reporting a surge in enquiries since Boris Johnson’s roadmap announcement last month.
“We have seen over the past week and weekend a continued surge of enquiries for Greece in particular, with the destination contributing over a third of all our bookings,” said Simon Lynch, sales director for tour operator Scott Dunn.
Chris Wright, managing director of Sunvil, says Greece holiday bookings are edging “back closer to pre-pandemic levels”. One hotel contacted by the Telegraph, the Auberge Resorts Collection’s Grace Hotel in Santorini, has reported a 50 per cent increase in requests, with the majority coming from the UK.
Greece is keen to have us CREDIT: Peter Marston
The introduction of Covid passports to ease international travel is also anticipated by May, she added.
The statement strikes a more optimistic note than Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who earlier this year said the threshold to allow for a full reopening of the country’s tourism sector should be 70 per cent vaccination.
“We could be prepared to start to apply the digital passport in mid-May,” Ms Maroto said in an interview on the Antena 3 television channel.
It comes ahead of next week’s expected announcement of a draft EU plan for the Digital Green Pass system showing a traveller’s proof of vaccination or Covid testing status.
Ms Maroto also said that Spain was expecting the approval of the single-shot Janssen vaccine “in a matter of days” to assist with a necessary acceleration in the vaccination campaign to reach 30 to 40 per cent inoculation by June.
Kotor, Montenegro CREDIT: Getty
Belgrade is not your typical city break, but it’s a fascinating (and cheap) option for anyone tired of the same old tourist-packed European destinations. Wizz flies there non-stop from Luton.
However, the rest of us still can’t go.
All the countries that are now welcoming Britons, from France to Barbados
If lockdown was lifted tomorrow, where could we actually go?ByOliver Smith12 March 2021 • 8:52am
That's Barbados by the way, not France CREDIT: Getty
Holidays are banned, and even essential travel comes with a whole heap of severe restrictions, including a requirement to take a Covid test before you return to the UK and two after you get home, where you must isolate for 10 days. It’s as if we’re suddenly living in the Soviet Union.
That could change on May 17, however, the date when – according to the lockdown exit strategy – overseas trips could be allowed again. How generous.
Even if foreign trips get the green light, however, not all of the world will be open to us. Many countries are still blocking UK arrivals over the new Kent variant (as well as South Africans over the South African variant, and Brazilians over the Brazilian variant), which is believed to be more infectious but won’t dodge the vaccines.
Here are the countries that are already rolling out the red carpet, or will be soon.
Europe
France (open now)
Our old frenemy has lifting restrictions on UK arrivals. Having previously required Britons to turn up clutching evidence of a compelling reason to travel (holidays don’t count), the rule will soon be dropped due to our rapid vaccine rollout and improving Covid situation.French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne announced that restrictions for arrivals from Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore will also be eased.
“The list includes Britain, because the UK variant now also circulates widely in France,” he said on Twitter.
Arrivals will still need to show evidence of a negative Covid test taken in the previous 72 hours.
Greece (open from May 17)
Greece will welcome tourists from mid-May, so long as they have been vaccinated, can provide evidence of a previous Covid infection, or have tested negative for Covid in the 72 hours before departure.“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021,” said Greek tourism minister Harry Theocharis this week. “Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”
The news will further bolster bookings, with tour operators and hotels in Greece already reporting a surge in enquiries since Boris Johnson’s roadmap announcement last month.
“We have seen over the past week and weekend a continued surge of enquiries for Greece in particular, with the destination contributing over a third of all our bookings,” said Simon Lynch, sales director for tour operator Scott Dunn.
Chris Wright, managing director of Sunvil, says Greece holiday bookings are edging “back closer to pre-pandemic levels”. One hotel contacted by the Telegraph, the Auberge Resorts Collection’s Grace Hotel in Santorini, has reported a 50 per cent increase in requests, with the majority coming from the UK.
Greece is keen to have us CREDIT: Peter Marston
Spain (open by May)
Spain will open its mass tourism resorts for business in spring, once the country has vaccinated between 30 and 40 per cent of its adult population, its Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said this week.The introduction of Covid passports to ease international travel is also anticipated by May, she added.
The statement strikes a more optimistic note than Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who earlier this year said the threshold to allow for a full reopening of the country’s tourism sector should be 70 per cent vaccination.
“We could be prepared to start to apply the digital passport in mid-May,” Ms Maroto said in an interview on the Antena 3 television channel.
It comes ahead of next week’s expected announcement of a draft EU plan for the Digital Green Pass system showing a traveller’s proof of vaccination or Covid testing status.
Ms Maroto also said that Spain was expecting the approval of the single-shot Janssen vaccine “in a matter of days” to assist with a necessary acceleration in the vaccination campaign to reach 30 to 40 per cent inoculation by June.
Montenegro (open now)
Pint-sized Montenegro relies heavily on tourism, which accounts for around 12pc of GDP. Indeed, it was one of the very first countries to reopen to overseas visitors last year (on June 1). That desire to keep its borders unlocked clearly remains, and since January 12 all travellers, including UK citizens, have been free to enter Montenegro as long as they provide evidence of a negative test. Come on down.
Kotor, Montenegro CREDIT: Getty
North Macedonia (open now)
Wizz flies direct to Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, and there are no restrictions on arrivals. The Foreign Office explains: “On December 30, North Macedonia cancelled a ban on direct flights from the United Kingdom. The government also cancelled the requirement for passengers arriving from the UK to self-isolate on the basis of their travel history. No PCR test is required.” Very generous of them. What awaits inquisitive travellers? Some of Europe’s most underrated hiking.Serbia (open now)
All visitors to Serbia must present evidence of a negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arrival. However, there is no requirement to quarantine and Britons are welcome too. There are Covid rules, including a ban on gatherings of six or more people, but the country has refrained from completely shutting up shop. Restaurants and cafes can remain open until 8pm (or 9pm if they are found inside a hotel), while theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries may open until 9pm, including on weekends.Belgrade is not your typical city break, but it’s a fascinating (and cheap) option for anyone tired of the same old tourist-packed European destinations. Wizz flies there non-stop from Luton.
Romania (open now – if you’ve had a vaccine)
The Foreign Office explains: “On January 18 the Romanian Government announced that anyone from the UK who has had both doses of the vaccine, and arrives in Romania more than ten days after the second dose, will no longer be expected to self-isolate. Furthermore, anyone coming from the UK who has had a positive Covid-19 test will be exempt from self-isolation provided that it is more than 14 days and less than 90 days since the confirmation of the result of their test.”However, the rest of us still can’t go.
Cyprus (open from May 1 – if you’ve had a vaccine)
Cyprus is due to open to all visitors who have received both doses of an approved Covid vaccine from May 1. The second dose of a vaccine should be administered at least seven days before travel. Authorities may still carry out random tests on arrivals, however.Estonia (open now – if you’ve had a vaccine)
The Foreign Office explains: “Since February 1, the 10-day self-isolation period and Covid-19 testing requirements are not mandatory for individuals who have either tested positive for Covid-19 and declared cured less than six months previously, or those who have undergone Covid-19 vaccination less than six months previously.”Actually when you look at a lot of that we couldn't go to a lot of places until second doses of vaccine or condirmed previous infection and there aren't the systems in place to provide documentation for either.Todays update:
All the countries that are now welcoming Britons, from France to Barbados
If lockdown was lifted tomorrow, where could we actually go?
ByOliver Smith12 March 2021 • 8:52am
That's Barbados by the way, not France CREDIT: Getty
Holidays are banned, and even essential travel comes with a whole heap of severe restrictions, including a requirement to take a Covid test before you return to the UK and two after you get home, where you must isolate for 10 days. It’s as if we’re suddenly living in the Soviet Union.
That could change on May 17, however, the date when – according to the lockdown exit strategy – overseas trips could be allowed again. How generous.
Even if foreign trips get the green light, however, not all of the world will be open to us. Many countries are still blocking UK arrivals over the new Kent variant (as well as South Africans over the South African variant, and Brazilians over the Brazilian variant), which is believed to be more infectious but won’t dodge the vaccines.
Here are the countries that are already rolling out the red carpet, or will be soon.
Europe
France (open now)
Our old frenemy has lifting restrictions on UK arrivals. Having previously required Britons to turn up clutching evidence of a compelling reason to travel (holidays don’t count), the rule will soon be dropped due to our rapid vaccine rollout and improving Covid situation.
French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne announced that restrictions for arrivals from Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore will also be eased.
“The list includes Britain, because the UK variant now also circulates widely in France,” he said on Twitter.
Arrivals will still need to show evidence of a negative Covid test taken in the previous 72 hours.
Greece (open from May 17)
Greece will welcome tourists from mid-May, so long as they have been vaccinated, can provide evidence of a previous Covid infection, or have tested negative for Covid in the 72 hours before departure.
“Greece is ready with a complete protocol for summer 2021,” said Greek tourism minister Harry Theocharis this week. “Tourists will be welcome if before travel they are either vaccinated, or have antibodies, or test negative. All tourists will be subject to random testing.”
The news will further bolster bookings, with tour operators and hotels in Greece already reporting a surge in enquiries since Boris Johnson’s roadmap announcement last month.
“We have seen over the past week and weekend a continued surge of enquiries for Greece in particular, with the destination contributing over a third of all our bookings,” said Simon Lynch, sales director for tour operator Scott Dunn.
Chris Wright, managing director of Sunvil, says Greece holiday bookings are edging “back closer to pre-pandemic levels”. One hotel contacted by the Telegraph, the Auberge Resorts Collection’s Grace Hotel in Santorini, has reported a 50 per cent increase in requests, with the majority coming from the UK.
Greece is keen to have us CREDIT: Peter Marston
Spain (open by May)
Spain will open its mass tourism resorts for business in spring, once the country has vaccinated between 30 and 40 per cent of its adult population, its Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said this week.
The introduction of Covid passports to ease international travel is also anticipated by May, she added.
The statement strikes a more optimistic note than Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who earlier this year said the threshold to allow for a full reopening of the country’s tourism sector should be 70 per cent vaccination.
“We could be prepared to start to apply the digital passport in mid-May,” Ms Maroto said in an interview on the Antena 3 television channel.
It comes ahead of next week’s expected announcement of a draft EU plan for the Digital Green Pass system showing a traveller’s proof of vaccination or Covid testing status.
Ms Maroto also said that Spain was expecting the approval of the single-shot Janssen vaccine “in a matter of days” to assist with a necessary acceleration in the vaccination campaign to reach 30 to 40 per cent inoculation by June.
Montenegro (open now)
Pint-sized Montenegro relies heavily on tourism, which accounts for around 12pc of GDP. Indeed, it was one of the very first countries to reopen to overseas visitors last year (on June 1). That desire to keep its borders unlocked clearly remains, and since January 12 all travellers, including UK citizens, have been free to enter Montenegro as long as they provide evidence of a negative test. Come on down.
Kotor, Montenegro CREDIT: Getty
North Macedonia (open now)
Wizz flies direct to Skopje, capital of North Macedonia, and there are no restrictions on arrivals. The Foreign Office explains: “On December 30, North Macedonia cancelled a ban on direct flights from the United Kingdom. The government also cancelled the requirement for passengers arriving from the UK to self-isolate on the basis of their travel history. No PCR test is required.” Very generous of them. What awaits inquisitive travellers? Some of Europe’s most underrated hiking.
Serbia (open now)
All visitors to Serbia must present evidence of a negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before arrival. However, there is no requirement to quarantine and Britons are welcome too. There are Covid rules, including a ban on gatherings of six or more people, but the country has refrained from completely shutting up shop. Restaurants and cafes can remain open until 8pm (or 9pm if they are found inside a hotel), while theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries may open until 9pm, including on weekends.
Belgrade is not your typical city break, but it’s a fascinating (and cheap) option for anyone tired of the same old tourist-packed European destinations. Wizz flies there non-stop from Luton.
Romania (open now – if you’ve had a vaccine)
The Foreign Office explains: “On January 18 the Romanian Government announced that anyone from the UK who has had both doses of the vaccine, and arrives in Romania more than ten days after the second dose, will no longer be expected to self-isolate. Furthermore, anyone coming from the UK who has had a positive Covid-19 test will be exempt from self-isolation provided that it is more than 14 days and less than 90 days since the confirmation of the result of their test.”
However, the rest of us still can’t go.
Cyprus (open from May 1 – if you’ve had a vaccine)
Cyprus is due to open to all visitors who have received both doses of an approved Covid vaccine from May 1. The second dose of a vaccine should be administered at least seven days before travel. Authorities may still carry out random tests on arrivals, however.
Estonia (open now – if you’ve had a vaccine)
The Foreign Office explains: “Since February 1, the 10-day self-isolation period and Covid-19 testing requirements are not mandatory for individuals who have either tested positive for Covid-19 and declared cured less than six months previously, or those who have undergone Covid-19 vaccination less than six months previously.”
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A related update.
ByLaura Donnelly, HEALTH EDITOR and Lucy Fisher, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR12 March 2021 • 9:30pm
Everyone over 40 should be offered their first Covid-19 vaccine by Easter, with a “bumper boost” to supplies allowing the programme to rapidly expand next week, The Telegraph can reveal.
Stocks are expected to more than double, allowing the NHS to administer up to a million doses a day in coming weeks, government sources said.
It means that all over-50s are expected to receive an invitation for a jab over the next week – around three weeks ahead of the Government’s target.
The Prime Minister had promised that jabs would be offered to all over-50s by April 15, and to everyone over the age of 18 by the end of July.
However, senior government sources said the programme was already far ahead of expectations and about to accelerate dramatically.
As a result, there is growing confidence that all adults over 40 will have been offered a first dose of the vaccine before Easter, which falls on April 4. It will also increase pressure on the Government to speed up the exit from lockdown.
On Friday night, Tory MPs said the progress, combined with continued falls in cases and hospitalisations, meant pubs and restaurants should be allowed to open from Easter. The current plan allows only “al fresco” hospitality to open a week later, with indoor eating and drinking not allowed until May.
The UK's R number has now dropped to between 0.6 and 0.8, down from 0.7 to 0.9 a week ago, with prevalence of coronavirus in England now the lowest it has been since September, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Over the weekend, health officials will focus efforts on ensuring that all remaining under-65s with underlying conditions are offered jabs, with those eligible sent texts allowing them to book a slot at a mass vaccination centre.
Those aged 50 to 55 are next in line, with hope that all nine priority vaccine groups – including everyone over 50 – can be offered their first jab by Mar 23, the anniversary of Britain’s first lockdown.
Vaccination sites have been told to inform health officials by next Friday at the latest if they have offered jabs to everyone in the first phase of the programme and are able to start phase two.
Supplies for the rest of this month were so substantial that it should then take less than a fortnight to offer jabs to everyone in their 40s, ahead of the Easter weekend, a senior government source said.
Vaccination sites have been instructed to recruit extra staff, and make use of thousands of volunteers to ensure the programme keeps accelerating, with extra “pop-up” vaccination clinics in workplaces, shopping centres and leisure centres.
If the pace continues to be maintained, it would mean that all adults could have their first jab before pubs and restaurants fully reopen on May 17.
However, sources said that while supplies would receive a further boost at the start of April, as a third vaccine, Moderna, becomes available, manufacturing challenges for some of the vaccines may slow the later phase of the rollout.
One senior government source declared “we will do better” than publicly stated targets, saying there was optimism that all adults over-40 would be offered a first dose of the vaccine by Easter, as more supply was coming online than was initially anticipated.
Another source said: “We have got a bumper month coming up, supply is no longer a constraint; it’s about what the system can cope with. We could hit a million a day soon.”
The source said the main challenge facing the vaccination programme in coming weeks was whether the health service could keep up with the large supplies coming its way.
While the rate may slow during April, he said there was optimism that the rest of the adult population would be offered first jabs long before the target of Jul 31.
However, he said there was concern that higher rates of vaccine hesitancy among younger age groups may mean it took longer for the programme to achieve good uptake.
The first government source said uncertainty about supplies after Easter meant it was too ambitious to expect all adults to be offered their first jab before the full opening of pubs and restaurants is due on May 17.
In total, 23.3 million people in the UK have now received their first dose of the vaccine – with half the adult population expected to have had their first jab by next week.
NHS leaders have been told that for at least three weeks, they will receive double the supply of first doses they had previously been receiving – on top of stocks for second doses, meaning daily doses could far exceed the current daily record of 598,389.
However, the Department of Health last night said it was “incorrect” that over-40s would be offered jabs by Easter, only committing to the published timetable.
A spokesman said: “We have set out our timelines for the vaccination programme and there is no change to this. We intend to offer a first dose to all over-50s by mid-April and all adults by the end of July.”
Tory MPs said the speed of the rollout meant the Government should hasten the exit from lockdown, and allow pubs and restaurants to open fully from the Easter weekend.
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory lockdown sceptics, said: “The Government must answer why it’s determined to stick to dates on reopening hospitality.
“I’m clear ‘Covid-secure’ hospitality should be open at Easter if it’s safe."
Consternation is growing among Tory MPs about the continued relaxation of legal standards in adult social care, under the Coronavirus Act 2020, which means care homes are not being inspected. The rules were relaxed in order to relieve pressure on the sector at the height of the pandemic.
However, the growing concern raises the prospect of a rebellion against the Government if ministers do not amend the act when it comes before the House for renewal later this month.
Exclusive: Vaccines for all over-40s by Easter after ‘bumper boost’ to supplies
NHS could offer a million doses a day in coming weeks, as pressure grows on PM to speed up reopening of pubs and restaurantsByLaura Donnelly, HEALTH EDITOR and Lucy Fisher, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR12 March 2021 • 9:30pm
Everyone over 40 should be offered their first Covid-19 vaccine by Easter, with a “bumper boost” to supplies allowing the programme to rapidly expand next week, The Telegraph can reveal.
Stocks are expected to more than double, allowing the NHS to administer up to a million doses a day in coming weeks, government sources said.
It means that all over-50s are expected to receive an invitation for a jab over the next week – around three weeks ahead of the Government’s target.
The Prime Minister had promised that jabs would be offered to all over-50s by April 15, and to everyone over the age of 18 by the end of July.
However, senior government sources said the programme was already far ahead of expectations and about to accelerate dramatically.
As a result, there is growing confidence that all adults over 40 will have been offered a first dose of the vaccine before Easter, which falls on April 4. It will also increase pressure on the Government to speed up the exit from lockdown.
On Friday night, Tory MPs said the progress, combined with continued falls in cases and hospitalisations, meant pubs and restaurants should be allowed to open from Easter. The current plan allows only “al fresco” hospitality to open a week later, with indoor eating and drinking not allowed until May.
The UK's R number has now dropped to between 0.6 and 0.8, down from 0.7 to 0.9 a week ago, with prevalence of coronavirus in England now the lowest it has been since September, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Over the weekend, health officials will focus efforts on ensuring that all remaining under-65s with underlying conditions are offered jabs, with those eligible sent texts allowing them to book a slot at a mass vaccination centre.
Those aged 50 to 55 are next in line, with hope that all nine priority vaccine groups – including everyone over 50 – can be offered their first jab by Mar 23, the anniversary of Britain’s first lockdown.
Vaccination sites have been told to inform health officials by next Friday at the latest if they have offered jabs to everyone in the first phase of the programme and are able to start phase two.
Supplies for the rest of this month were so substantial that it should then take less than a fortnight to offer jabs to everyone in their 40s, ahead of the Easter weekend, a senior government source said.
Vaccination sites have been instructed to recruit extra staff, and make use of thousands of volunteers to ensure the programme keeps accelerating, with extra “pop-up” vaccination clinics in workplaces, shopping centres and leisure centres.
If the pace continues to be maintained, it would mean that all adults could have their first jab before pubs and restaurants fully reopen on May 17.
However, sources said that while supplies would receive a further boost at the start of April, as a third vaccine, Moderna, becomes available, manufacturing challenges for some of the vaccines may slow the later phase of the rollout.
One senior government source declared “we will do better” than publicly stated targets, saying there was optimism that all adults over-40 would be offered a first dose of the vaccine by Easter, as more supply was coming online than was initially anticipated.
Another source said: “We have got a bumper month coming up, supply is no longer a constraint; it’s about what the system can cope with. We could hit a million a day soon.”
The source said the main challenge facing the vaccination programme in coming weeks was whether the health service could keep up with the large supplies coming its way.
While the rate may slow during April, he said there was optimism that the rest of the adult population would be offered first jabs long before the target of Jul 31.
However, he said there was concern that higher rates of vaccine hesitancy among younger age groups may mean it took longer for the programme to achieve good uptake.
The first government source said uncertainty about supplies after Easter meant it was too ambitious to expect all adults to be offered their first jab before the full opening of pubs and restaurants is due on May 17.
In total, 23.3 million people in the UK have now received their first dose of the vaccine – with half the adult population expected to have had their first jab by next week.
NHS leaders have been told that for at least three weeks, they will receive double the supply of first doses they had previously been receiving – on top of stocks for second doses, meaning daily doses could far exceed the current daily record of 598,389.
However, the Department of Health last night said it was “incorrect” that over-40s would be offered jabs by Easter, only committing to the published timetable.
A spokesman said: “We have set out our timelines for the vaccination programme and there is no change to this. We intend to offer a first dose to all over-50s by mid-April and all adults by the end of July.”
Tory MPs said the speed of the rollout meant the Government should hasten the exit from lockdown, and allow pubs and restaurants to open fully from the Easter weekend.
Steve Baker, deputy chairman of the Covid Recovery Group of Tory lockdown sceptics, said: “The Government must answer why it’s determined to stick to dates on reopening hospitality.
“I’m clear ‘Covid-secure’ hospitality should be open at Easter if it’s safe."
Consternation is growing among Tory MPs about the continued relaxation of legal standards in adult social care, under the Coronavirus Act 2020, which means care homes are not being inspected. The rules were relaxed in order to relieve pressure on the sector at the height of the pandemic.
However, the growing concern raises the prospect of a rebellion against the Government if ministers do not amend the act when it comes before the House for renewal later this month.
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