Travelers at Gatwick Airport on July 30, 2021
Seven more countries have been added to the green travel list in a boost for the COVID-weary among us.
Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Romania have all been green-lit, joining Malta, Madeira and Croatia.
And while Austria and Norway are yet to welcome Brits back yet, the changes are still great news for holidaymakers.
France has also been moved from the confusing amber plus list to the amber list.
It couldn’t be simpler and it takes seconds – simply press here, enter your email address and follow the instructions. You can also enter your address in the box below the picture on most desktop and mobile platforms.
As of July 19, those who have received both doses of the COVID vaccine are able to travel to amber list countries without having to quarantine upon their return.
It is thought this will spark a surge in Brits travelling to France – although the announcement of the extended use of the ‘health pass’ has caused chaos.
From yesterday (August 9), France has extended the scope of the technology rollout, which is now compulsory to visit a café, board a plane, or travel on an inter-city train.
People must upload proof of being double vaccinated to the app.
So, those without the app, or Brits who do not have a smartphone, could be refused entry to hundreds of hotspots.
The latest update – announced by transport minister Grant Shapps last Wednesday – came into effect at 4am on Sunday.
In other travel news, Boris Johnson has been urged to cap the cost of private COVID-19 tests to prevent foreign holidays becoming a luxury open only to the wealthiest families.
A list of providers which meet minimum testing standards on the Government website shows more than 100 outlets charging £200 or more.
Analysis of the list by the Liberal Democrats shows just 11 per cent of the providers offered tests for under £50, with the cheapest offering prices ranging from £20.
Some 24 per cent of the providers were charging more than £200 – with the Mayfair GP clinic listed as £575, although its own website said prices start at £399.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has asked the competition watchdog to investigate the market for travel PCR tests in response to concerns about the cost for families travelling abroad.
Travellers who are not fully vaccinated arriving in England from amber list countries, such as Spain or France, must self-isolate 10 days upon arrival and take a PCR test on day two and day eight.
They may be able to get out of quarantine early if you pay for a private PCR test to be taken on day five under the Test to Release scheme.
Those with two vaccines only need to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival and can skip self-isolation – the same rules apply to those who are under the age of 18 regardless of their vaccination status.
Anyone returning from a green list country need only have proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travel, fill in a passenger locator form and take a test on day two after arrival.