The government has announced that residents in England who have had both Covid- 19 vaccinations will be able to travel to amber list countries without having to quarantine on their return, from 19 July. From that date the government will no longer advise against leisure travel and with popular holiday destinations such as mainland Spain, France, Greece and Italy currently rated amber, holidays abroad could return this summer for vaccinated travellers.
However, although there is no need to quarantine under the new rules, travellers who are double-jabbed must still take two Covid tests. One lateral flow test will be required before you depart your destination and one PCR test on day two when you are back in the UK. The extra cost of this will vary but could add at least £120 on to your holiday per person.
Holidaymakers keen to travel to amber-list countries should still be wary and check whether the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against travel to their chosen destination. Unless FCDO advises it’s safe to travel, it will be difficult to find valid insurance. Which? Travel is now aware of one mass-market provider, XXX, which will cover those travelling against FCDO advice.
While this rule change could spell good news for English residents, will Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland follow suit?
Below, we cover amber list rules, including whether you can travel on one dose or with a child who hasn’t been vaccinated and what happens if you book a holiday and are told by NHS Test and Trace to isolate before you go. Additionally, we look at what your refund rights are if you’re not vaccinated or choose a green-list holiday destination and it changes to amber or red before you travel.
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Can I visit an amber list country?
The government has said English residents can take holidays to amber list countries, from 19 July.
Regardless of whether vaccinated or not, the Scottish government still says ‘you should think carefully before booking travel to a country or area on the amber list for holidays or for any other leisure purpose. Travelling abroad carries a risk of bringing new cases and variants of Covid-19 into Scotland.’
All residents of Wales are advised to stay at home and take a holiday in Wales instead.
People living in Northern Ireland are advised to ‘avoid travelling as much as possible’.
If you do travel to a country on the amber list from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or England if you aren’t doubly vaccinated, you face a 10-day quarantine when you return home. You’ll also have to fork out for a Covid test before flying home as well as tests on day two and eight, after you return.
Can I get insured if I visit an amber list country?
It depends. If you book a holiday to an amber list country somewhere the FCDO says is safe to travel to, you will be able to get insurance. If the FCDO later changes its advice against travelling to your destination, your insurance will become invalid. It means you won’t be covered if you have an accident abroad, for example, which could be costly.
Most holiday providers will refund or allow you to move your holiday if the FCDO advises against travel, but not all. If they refuse, you also won’t have valid insurance, so you are faced with either travelling without insurance, or losing the holiday.
If you find insurance for a holiday, be aware it may not offer complete Covid-19 cover. Most companies do not offer financial cover for all scenarios. For example, the company might pay out if you fall ill with coronavirus while abroad, but not if you’re told to isolate by NHS Test and Trace at the time of travel. Check what the insurance actually provides.
Find the best travel insurance policy for your needs
If you book a holiday and it changes to amber when you’re due to fly, can you get a refund?
You aren’t legally entitled to a refund unless the holiday or flight is cancelled. If you booked a package holiday, you are entitled to a refund if the country has an FCDO warning against it.
Almost all airlines are still flying to amber list destinations, while many holiday providers are operating holidays to amber list destinations without an FCDO warning, such as the Canary Islands. Most holiday companies will allow you a date or destination change if the country changes to amber from green, but the cost of new dates can be costly.
If a tour operator won’t refund you for an amber list destination and you don’t want to or can’t quarantine when you get home, you could lose the cost of your holiday. This is why it’s important to book with a provider that is flexible if a destination changes from green to amber.
If you’ve booked a flight only, it’s likely that flight will still run even if a country’s rating changes to amber. So you will need to fly or lose the cost of the flight, unless the company’s terms say otherwise.
If I’m already abroad and the destination changes to amber, what should I do?
If you can quarantine at home for 10 days on your return, it’s probably best to stay put. Some holiday companies may try and bring people home early, but they are are under no obligation
Be prepared to pay for an extra test when you land back in the UK. You will need to be tested on day two and eight.
If you cannot quarantine, you will likely need to book your own flight home, unless your insurance covers this scenario – which is unlikely. Be prepared for inflated flight prices with the demand for flights high.
How to book a holiday safely to protect yourself against traffic light changes
Make sure you book a package holiday from a flexible provider. Many holiday companies are more flexible than airlines.
When committing to a holiday, make sure you are willing to quarantine if a country’s traffic light rating changes. As we saw with Portugal being changed to amber suddenly in an update earlier in June, traffic lights do change.
If you cannot quarantine and still choose to book, check you can rebook for free if your destination is on the amber or red list at the time of departure. Make sure you can transfer the full value of your trip, without unrecoverable costs being deducted.
Sometimes companies say you can move it for free apart from unrecoverable costs. This is often the cost of the flight, or a pre-booked trip so it could be a big financial hit.
You’ll also need assurance that you’ll be refunded if the FCDO adds a warning to the country you’re travelling to.
Find out everything you should ask your holiday provider before booking
Will Tui refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
No, unless the FCDO advises against travelling there.
For holidays to amber list countries where the FCDO says it’s OK to travel, if you’re unwilling or unable to self-isolate, you can amend your booking without penalty. You’ll need to pay more if the holiday is more expensive, but will be refunded for the difference if it’s cheaper. See more on Tui’s rebooking policies.
Will British Airways Holidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
A refund will be offered only if the amber list country is also somewhere the FCDO advises against non-essential travel.
You can change your destination or date with no change fees or supplier costs if the country turns amber. Be aware that you will have to pay the difference if the new holiday is more expensive. You must inform British Airways Holidays of any changes within seven days of the government announcement. If it’s less than seven days to go until your holiday and a country turns amber, you can change the holiday right up until check-in closes. You can also get a voucher. See British Airways’ booking policies.
Be aware that if you chose a package holiday that included a non-refundable hotel, this will not be changable. This should have been made clear when booking.
Will easyJet Holidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
You will only be refunded for an amber list country if the FCDO also advises against travelling there. Other trips on the amber list can be amended or you can gain credit without charge right up until 24 hours before departure. See easyJet’s refund and rebooking policies.
Will Loveholidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
No. It also says that if you move to a different destination or date then while Loveholidays will not charge you, supplier charges could apply. If FCDO advises against travel to any destination, it will refund the hotel. Look at Loveholidays’ refund policies and FAQs.
Will Jet2holidays refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
Jet2 has currently cancelled all holidays up to 30 June and will restart holidays from 1 July.
The company hasn’t yet decided its policy on amber destinations. See Jet2holidays’ refund and rebooking policy.
Will On The Beach refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
No. You can amend the holiday without paying a fee, but you may lose airline costs, regardless of whether FCDO advises against travel. Seven days notice is required for hotel and transfer amendments.
On The Beach has paused holiday sales and will not be selling any more holidays until September. See On The Beach’s rebooking and refund policy for your holiday if you’ve already booked.
Will Trailfinders refund me if my holiday destination is added to the amber list?
Yes. Trailfinders is more flexible than most, offering a refund in this instance. See Trailfinders’ rebooking and refund policy.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2021/07/travel-to-amber-list-countries-what-are-your-rights-and-can-you-get-a-refund/