Latest travel advice from the Foreign Office in France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Dubai

Despite the relaxation of coronavirus rules across England last month, holidays abroad are still not being considered.

But tourists could start the jet set from May 17 – the first date on Boris Johnson’s roadmap outside of the lockdown.

As part of a traffic light system, vacation destinations will be ranked based on Covid rates and vaccine deployment, among other factors.

People arriving in the UK from a ‘green’ country will not be required to self-isolate, but those arriving from an ‘orange’ destination must be quarantined for 10 days.

Existing rules for arrivals from “red” locations will continue, including mandatory stay in a quarantine hotel.

A full list of countries won’t be revealed until early May, but the Independent reports that popular European destinations such as Malta and Portugal could be on the green list.

The government has also confirmed that coronavirus passports will be available to UK holidaymakers, HertsLive Reports.

It comes as popular tourist destinations set out requirements for international visitors to be vaccinated or recently tested before they can enter.

Here are the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel rules for some of the most popular vacation destinations.

France

FCDO advises against all but essential travel throughout France based on the current Covid-19 risk assessment there.

On March 11, the French government announced it was easing restrictions on travel from the UK and, as of March 12, arrivals were no longer necessary to justify an essential reason to enter France.

All other measures (such as the pre-departure testing requirement) remain in place and apply to all air, car, ferry and train passengers.

All travelers from the UK, including children aged 11 and over, will be required to test negative for Covid-19 (PCR only), carried out less than 72 hours before departure. Arrivals will also need to self-isolate for seven days upon arrival, before taking another PCR test

And arrivals from the UK will also need to complete a self-certifying ‘affidavit’ form that they do not suffer from symptoms associated with the coronavirus and have not been in. contact with confirmed cases during the previous fifteen days.

Arrivals from the United Kingdom who have visited non-European countries in the last 14 days remain subject to the obligation to justify a compelling reason. You should check out our Covid-19 tips on things to consider and be prepared to stay abroad longer than expected.

Spain

The FCDO advises against any travel, except essential, in Spain, including the Balearic Islands but excluding the Canary Islands.

At the end of October 2020, the Spanish government declared a nationwide state of emergency with new mobility restrictions and curfews that remain in place. If you are planning to travel to Spain, find out what you need to know about the coronavirus in the Coronavirus section here.

And if you are planning to travel to Spain, you should check the “Entry Requirements” section for up-to-date information on entry restrictions and requirements. Who can be found here.

Only citizens and legal residents of the European Union, the Schengen States, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican (Holy See) and San Marino, and those who can demonstrate by documentary evidence an essential need for ‘enter Spain, will be allowed to enter under the current travel restrictions. .

Portugal

FCDO advises against all travel, except essential, to the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

If you are arriving in England from Portugal (including the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores), you will need to self-isolate upon arrival, unless you have a valid exemption.

You will need to show a negative RT-PCR test result for SARS / Covid-19 taken within 72 hours of departure (not required for children two years of age or younger).

Your airline may deny boarding if you cannot provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test at check-in. Check with your airline before traveling.

Italy

FCDO advises against all but essential travel throughout Italy.

From April 7 to April 30, entry into Italy from the UK is no longer restricted to Italian residents and people in dire need.

However, the Covid-19 measures continue to apply.

If you wish to fly, you must present the airline with a negative Covid-19 rapid or molecular swab antigen test carried out no later than 48 hours before entering Italy.

And regardless of your mode of transport, when you arrive in Italy from the UK, you must also report to the local health authorities and self-isolate for five days.

You must also pass a molecular or antigenic test at the end of the five-day self-isolation period, as well as complete a self-report form which can be found. here.

Greece

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Greece based on the current Covid-19 risk assessment.

FCDO advises against visiting the islands of Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete.

British nationals are allowed to enter Greece if they are permanent residents of the UK, Greece, another EU / EFTA state or one of the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea South, Thailand, Rwanda, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Russian Federation and Israel.

If you are a British national residing in another country not listed above, you will likely be refused entry to Greece due to the measures put in place by the Greek authorities to combat the spread of Covid-19.

All arrivals to Greece must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, carried out within 72 hours of your arrival in Greece.

And anyone entering Greece from the UK will also be asked to undergo a rapid test for Covid-19 upon arrival.

Arrivals from the UK are currently required to self-isolate for seven days if they test negative. Travelers should self-isolate for at least 14 days in the event of a positive test result. In either case, travelers will need to perform another PCR test at the end of their self-isolation period.

United Arab Emirates

FCDO advises against all but essential travel throughout the UAE based on the current Covid-19 risk assessment.

Dubai authorities have been issuing visit and tourist visas since July 6, 2020.

Abu Dhabi authorities have been issuing visit and tourist visas since December 24, 2020.

All tourists, visitors and residents traveling from or via the UK and arriving in Dubai or Abu Dhabi must undergo a negative Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test which was performed no later than 72 hours before departure and present the certificate at check-in. .

Travelers arriving in Abu Dhabi will also need to take a Covid-19 PCR test on arrival. Travelers arriving in Dubai may be required to perform another Covid-19 PCR test on arrival and will need to isolate while awaiting the Covid-19 PCR test result.

Other regulations can be found here.