2020 was pretty much a write-off in terms of international travel, and many are hoping 2021 will open more for holidays abroad.
But with England’s third national lockdown in swing, it’s not looking great at the moment.
And new rules coming into force next week will make it even harder for those wanting to travel abroad, and then come back into the country.
New rules will require all travellers going abroad to have a negative coronavirus test before arriving in England.
From 4am on January 15, all passengers arriving in England either by boat, train or plane will have to take a Covid test up to 72 hours before leaving the country of departure.
All travellers, including UK nationals, will have to present proof of the negative test to their carrier when boarding.
The UK Border Force will also conduct spot checks, so this will undoubtedly slow down the whole travel process.
Those who don’t follow the rules will face a minimum fine of £500, and the operator who transported them will also be fined.
But regardless of whether you have a negative coronavirus test as proof, passengers will still have to quarantine for 10 days if travelling to somewhere outside the travel corridor, according to transport minister Robert Courts.
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Those who take a test with a positive result must not travel, and need to follow local guidance where they are.
Mr Courts explained: “If a passenger arrives in England without a pre-departure negative test result they will be fined.
“We will amend the International Travel Regulations so that fines, starting at £500, can be levied on non-compliant passengers.”
The test also has to be internationally approved, and guidance on what is accepted will be made available to passengers and carriers.
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The new rules will apply to every country in the world, including those on England’s travel corridor list.
However, passengers travelling to England from other UK Countries, including the Isle of Man and Channel Islands, won’t be covered by new regulations.
Children under 11 will also be exempt from pre-departure testing.
There are also a limited number of other exceptions, including air, international rail and maritime crew.
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