GMB: Sean Fletcher grills Grant Shapps on ‘chaotic’ travel strategy

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Following the latest travel announcement on Wednesday, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated a number of its travel advice pages. The traffic light system has once again been overhauled, with seven new additions to the green list and the removal of the amber plus list.

There were also new warnings for popular holiday hotspot Spain.

In line with these changes, what are the FCDO’s latest travel advice updates for Spain, France, Greece and Germany?

Spain

Spain managed to cling onto its place on the amber list despite widespread speculation it may be moved to the now-defunct amber plus list or even the red list.

However, the Department of Transport has urged travellers returning from Spain to take a PCR as their pre-departure test.

Previously, this test could be a lateral flow or antigen test.

Despite this warning, the FCDO has not made any update on its travel advice page.

It states: “The Spanish government requires all arrivals to Spain from the UK to present on entry a pre-travel declaration form and one of the following: a negative COVID-19 test; or proof of vaccination.”

This test can be a PCR, TMA, LAMP or NEAR.

“Antigen tests can only be used in certain limited circumstances and are not accepted if you are travelling from the UK to Spain for tourism purposes,” the travel authority adds.

Spain will also accept “proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency or by the World Health Organisation,” according to the FCDO.

“Spain will accept the UK’s solutions to demonstrate your COVID vaccination status,” it continues.

“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.”

All passengers must also complete and sign an online Health Control Form no more than 48 hours prior to travel.

Those returning to the UK from Spain do not have to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated, however must take a test on or before day two of their arrival.

DON’T MISS
Amber list update – Which countries are on the amber travel list? [FULL LIST]
World’s most beautiful road trips list include TWO in the UK [INSIGHT]
Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal: Latest FCDO travel warnings [WARNING]

France

France has been removed from the amber plus list and reinstated to the amber list.

This means arrivals from France who can prove they have had two doses of a vaccine administered and approved by the UK, EU or the US can avoid quarantine.

They must take a pre-departure and day two test, however.

Non-vaccinated arrivals are still required to self-isolate for 10 days and take a day eight test.

In its latest update, the FCDO explains: “The UK is currently on the French amber list.

“Entry requirements are different depending on whether you are fully vaccinated or not.”

It continues: “Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated arrivals in France from countries on the French amber list will only be permitted to travel for essential reasons.”

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will need to self-isolate for seven days after arrival, then take another PCR test following this period of self-isolation.

They will also be required to show a completed International Travel Certificate to confirm their essential reason for travel and complete a “sworn statement” assuring they are not displaying symptoms of coronavirus.

Arrivals from the UK aged 12 years old or over are required to present evidence of a negative test (PCR or antigen) taken within 24 hours of departure.

“Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival,” continues the travel authority.

“From July 18, fully vaccinated adults no longer need to present evidence of a negative test result before travel.”

They must, however, complete a “sworn statement” and show evidence of their inoculation status.

Greece

Greece remains on the amber list, despite concerns over a rise in cases in recent weeks.

Arrivals are permitted to enter the UK without quarantine if they can prove they are fully vaccinated with a jab administered and authorised by the UK, EU or the US.

In this instance, they are only eligible to take a pre-departure and day two test.

However, those who are not vaccinated must self-isolate and also take a day eight test.

UK arrivals are allowed to enter Greece in accordance with Greek authority rules.

“If you’re travelling from the UK, you will need to have completed a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) before arrival in Greece,” warns the FCDO.

“The form is required regardless of the means of transport you use to travel to Greece.”

Proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, undertaken within the 72 hour period before arrival into Greece is required.

Alternatively, proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test from an authorised laboratory, undertaken within the 48 hour period before your arrival into Greece is accepted.

Fully vaccinated travellers do not need to show a negative coronavirus test and instead should show official evidence of having received two doses of an approved Covid jab at least 14 days before travel.

“Greece will accept the UK’s solutions to demonstrate your COVID vaccination status,” adds the FCDO.

“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.”

See the latest Covid vaccine stats below and visit InYourArea for all the Covid vaccine latest

Germany

Germany has been moved from the amber list to the green list.

“From 4am on Sunday, August 8, Germany will move to the green list for entering England,” states the FCDO.

This means that all Britons returning from Germany, regardless of their vaccination status, do not need to quarantine.

They must, however, take a pre-departure test and a test on or before day two of their arrival.

Germany has strict entry requirements for those travelling from the UK.

“From July 7, the UK is designated as a ‘high-incidence area’. You may enter Germany from the UK for any travel purpose if you are fully vaccinated,” explains the FCDO.

“Unvaccinated children under 12 years of age are allowed to enter Germany if they present proof of a negative test result and travel with at least one fully vaccinated parent.

“Those individuals who are not fully vaccinated may only enter Germany from the UK if they are a German citizen; the spouse/partner/child under 18 of a German citizen; a resident of Germany; the spouse/partner/child under 18 of a resident of Germany; serve in an important role; or have an urgent need to travel.”

All travellers entering Germany from the UK are required to complete pre-departure digital registration, regardless of vaccination status.

“Travellers arriving from the UK, who are not fully vaccinated, are subject to 10-day quarantine, and test and release is available after five days,” adds the FCDO.

“Fully vaccinated and recovered individuals are exempt from this requirement.”

Source: Read Full Article