As popular destinations begin to ease restrictions, coupled with Britain having eased the rules for returning travellers, the off-putting holiday faff may be coming to an end – albeit slowly.
So far, Portugal has ditched a pre-departure test for vaccinated UK travellers, Greece too, has dropped the requirement. However, Greece has determined that the second vaccine must have been received within the last seven months. In this case, the traveller must show a booster jab. Morocco is opening up too.
As from March 5th Austria will be dropping their restrictions.
In the meantime, Mexico has always been open to everyone – even the unvaccinated without any need for a test.
We will keep you posted as things change on the ground.
In the meantime, these are the countries whose restrictions are easing:
Easing rules for the fully vaccinated
Australia
After a two-year wait, foreign tourists are able to enter Australia from 21 February. However, Western Australia remains off-limits retaining stringent quarantine rules remaining in place for the time being. British travellers will need to apply for an eVisitor visa and will also need to complete an Australian Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure.
Greece
According to the Foreign Office from Monday 7 February 2022, any travellers that can “show full vaccination status will be exempt from the requirement to take any pre-departure test in order to enter Greece”.
Morocco
After 16 weeks of closed borders, Morocco is ready to welcome tourists again though a rapid antigen test will be administered for all arrivals. This came into force on February 7 2022. The national tourist office says: “Passengers travelling to Morocco must present a vaccination pass and a negative PCR test result in less than 48 hours old before boarding the plane.”
Children under 6 are exempt from the pre-travel testing requirement. Children under 18 are exempt from the requirement to present a vaccine pass.
All passengers must download, sign and print a passenger health form before arrival in Morocco.
Portugal
The requirement for a pre-departure test has been dropped for fully vaccinated travellers with immediate effect. Those who do not meet full vaccination requirements for Portugal – including children aged 12 and above – will still need to provide a negative Covid-19 test on arrival. This can be a PCR test (72 hours before travel) or a rapid flow antigen test (48 hours before travel).
From Valentine’s day, (February 14th) Madeira is welcoming all UK travellers – those who have and haven’t been jabbed – test free.
To visit the Azores all travellers must submit a passenger locator form and take a test before departure (PCR within 72 hours, lateral flow within 48 hours), which must be administered by a professional.
Switzerland
Switzerland was one of the first European countries to scrap testing for vaccinated arrivals. All signs are that restrictions will be falling away soon.
UK
From Friday 11 February, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to take undergo any post-arrival tests putting an end to forking out for expensive Covid tests saving around £120 for a family of four. The Passenger Location Form must still be completed. Travellers now have three days prior to returning to complete the form instead of the two days previously allowed. For unvaccinated arrival, self-isolation is no longer required but they must take a pre-departure test and a post-arrival PCR test.
Countries that are open to unvaccinated visitors
Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Greece, Ireland, Maldives, Mexico, Portugal, Seychelles, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Turkey.