UK Travel Update
News we have been waiting for from the Government Travel Taskforce has been released with some positives regarding international travel later this year. The UK is to adopt a traffic light system with green, amber and red codes for destinations.
But what does this mean?
Let’s get Red out of the way first… Bad, don’t go! Currently there are no red destinations in Europe.
Amber – This is reserved for low vaccinated countries with medium cases. For tourists to these destinations, you will require a PCR test ahead of returning back to the UK and a 10 day quarantine with a PCR test on the second and eighth days. This means if a country we visit is in the amber zone, we will have to get a test towards the end of the tour before you can return home.
Green – This is currently the best option for international travel, however you will still require a PCR test within 2 days of returning, but you will not have to self-isolate.
In all of the options above, you will be required to get a PCR test ahead of travelling, whether you are vaccinated or not.
The travel industry have expressed dissatisfaction with the government on the use of for-profit testing for green rated countries. This is because each test costs approximately £120 and you will be required to take a minimum of 2 tests. EasyJet have stated that the cost of the tests are 4x the cost of their average flight which is creating a travel for the wealthy only.
The traffic light system is not set in stone and there will be further updates ahead of international travel resuming on May 17. Throughout this time and afterwards, revisions will be regularly made and an updated guidance is due before June 26 which will be the most relevant for summer holidays abroad.
The first Coaster Breaks tour is scheduled for July 3rd with multiple trips throughout until the beginning of November. A lot can change within the 13 weeks between now and our launch. With the backlash the government is receiving on PCR tests vs Lateral Flow Tests, it is very likely that the lateral tests will be sufficient for green countries, which are free twice weekly to anyone in the UK.
In the meantime, we have decided to delay the on sale date for Coaster Breaks until after the initial countries have been announced for green travel at the start of May and more clarifications are released on travel abroad this summer.
Remember, this is for spring travel only and further information on the summer will be released in due course. Try not to create an opinion until the government releases further guidance and abide by the rules set out. We will continue to monitor the situation in Europe and we are ready to go on-sale at the switch of a button. We are still planning to go from July 3rd and nothing has changed with regards to our schedule.
In the event that we go on-sale and the situation changes to Amber or Red, we will offer a full refund for all guests. Also, if you test positive for coronavirus and provide proof of testing, we will also refund your trip.
Stay safe and we hope to update you again very soon.
To view our 2021 departure dates, click here
