The French Government has expanded the list of compelling reasons for travel, effective January 6. Non-French citizens can now enter France for business purposes requiring in-person attendance, provided they have employer verification. Additional updates include easing transit through France to reach properties in third countries.
BA’s longer European routes offer an opportunity to earn 160 Tier Points for approximately £225, with destinations like Athens, Bucharest, Helsinki, Istanbul, and Sofia. Despite current travel restrictions, this is a strategic time to book, especially for those seeking to maximize Tier Points through longer mileage runs.
New guidance has been issued for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in England between 4am on January 7 and 4am on January 9. These travelers must take a PCR test for their post-arrival testing, while those arriving after this window can opt for less expensive lateral flow tests. Importantly, there is no quarantine requirement until the PCR test result is received.
The UK Government is revising its pre-arrival testing rules for international travellers, eliminating the need for a pre-arrival test and replacing it with a lateral flow test two days after arrival. This change, effective from 7 January 2022, aims to simplify travel amidst ongoing COVID concerns.
Starting December 21, the Netherlands will implement new entry restrictions requiring all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. A negative PCR test on day five can shorten the quarantine period. The UK is designated as a High-Risk area.
The French Government is set to implement strict entry restrictions for travelers from the UK, effective Saturday. A negative PCR test taken within 24 hours prior to arrival will be required, followed by a mandatory 7-day isolation unless a negative test is obtained after 48 hours. Visits for tourism and business will not be permitted, though family visits remain allowed.
Passengers connecting airside at English airports, including Heathrow, must now present a negative COVID test prior to departure, a shift from previous regulations. While a passenger locator form is no longer required, those transiting land side must adhere to standard entry rules. Important guidelines for transit and travel exemptions are outlined for smooth passage.
Sofitel Gatwick has once again become a quarantine hotel, leading to a sudden lack of available rooms for travelers. With the UK government mandating hotels for red-list country returners, guests are facing significant challenges in securing accommodations, raising concerns about customer service and hotel policies.
The UK Government has updated its travel regulations, now allowing arrivals to present either a negative PCR or Lateral Flow test taken within two days of departure. While this change takes effect Tuesday at 4am, the status of the post-arrival testing requirement remains uncertain.
The BBC has reported that new regulations will mandate a negative COVID test for passengers arriving in the UK, effective from 4am on Tuesday. Details regarding the type of test and timing remain unclear, alongside implications for connecting passengers. Additionally, Nigeria will be added to the Red List, requiring hotel quarantine.
A potential new public health order is being considered by the U.S. government, which would mandate that all visitors take a COVID-19 test one day prior to arrival, a significant change from the current three-day requirement. Additionally, visitors may face a seven-day quarantine and further testing after arrival, regardless of vaccination status.
Scottish and Welsh governments are advocating for an 8-day quarantine for arrivals, following the UK Government’s new PCR testing requirements. This proposal aims to address concerns over the spread of a new variant in the UK, which may not be linked to travel, as testing increases reveal more cases.
