Bucket, spade and a pile of red tape: UK travellers warned about Covid rule traps
Travellers have been warned to check their half-term holiday plans to make sure they meet Covid vaccination rules when travelling to EU destinations as a growing number of countries impose new restrictions.
France joined Spain and Denmark last week in requiring anyone who completed their vaccination jabs more than 270 days ago to have a booster to enter the country – or be considered unvaccinated. Austria requires boosters after 180 days.
It means that any of the 18 million people in the UK who had their second dose before mid-May in 2021 would need to have been boosted if they travel to those countries on Saturday, 12 February. Yet only 65% of over-12s have had a booster so far.
People travelling to Italy, Croatia and Switzerland, as well as New York or California, will not face the same border checks but may find it harder to go to restaurants, museums and other indoor venues if they have not been boosted.
Tourism leaders urged ministers to negotiate with European countries to prevent chaotic scenes at airports as the travel industry begins to revive.
“It is too late now for regulations to change [before half term],” said Chris Rowles, the chair of Aito, which represents specialist travel companies. “Travellers, especially with children under 18, will have to be careful and well aware of individual countries’ regulations to ensure they can travel without problems.”
The EU had been trying to develop a common approach between the 27 member states, he said, but they had taken different approaches.
“What our government must do is negotiate with the EU to ensure that we are included in any joint EU regulations to make travel more seamless across Europe,” Rowles said, adding that the rules should be agreed for all four nations in
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