COVID-19 has had the UK in lockdown for some three months now, but restrictions are gradually easing. We can not only look forward to a summer staycation but also the kick-start to the tourist industry that many have been waiting for.

Though currently, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel abroad, the ban is expected to be relaxed very soon. Currently, no indication has been given as to when travel quarantine in the UK will be lifted, but the government has suggested that ‘air bridges’ between certain countries be put in place. The question on many of our lips is will holidays ever be the same again. There is no doubt that it will be a phased return, and freedom of movement will vary in each country.

The UK government has issued guidelines for safer air travel for passengers (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-air-travel-guidance-for-passengers) and the situation is changing rapidly, but below is a brief summary of some of the changes we should expect to see.

Quarantine

Passengers (including UK nationals) arriving in the UK by plane, ferry or train will be asked to provide an address where they will self-isolate for 14 days. Travellers can be fined £100 for failing to complete the form.

There will be random visits to check the rules are being followed. Those in England could be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to self-isolate. Passengers should drive their own car to their destination where possible.

The quarantine is in place indefinitely but is being reviewed every three weeks. The first review is scheduled for 29 June.

Exemptions

Anyone arriving from the Common Travel Area (CTA) – the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man – will not have to enter quarantine. There is an exemption if you arrive in the UK and have been outside the CTA within the last 14 days. Several groups are exempt, including:

• Road haulage and freight workers
• Medical and care professionals providing essential healthcare
• Seasonal agricultural workers if they self-isolate where they are working
• UK residents who ordinarily travel overseas at least once a week for work

Do other countries have quarantine rules?

Travellers could find they also have to enter quarantine when they arrive in another country. Some have introduced screening measures such as temperature checks and entry restrictions. “Air bridges”.

The government are in the process of implementing the much publicised “air bridges” (also called “travel corridors”) scheme. This would allow tourists between two countries to visit without needing to quarantine.

The bridges will be by way of mutual agreements with other countries experiencing low numbers of COVID-19 infections and deemed “safe”. This would mean travellers can go between the two without quarantining at either end.

Destinations likely to be included in the first tranche of the “air bridges” scheme are likely to be France, Italy, Spain, Greece and Germany. Negotiations are already taking place between the UK and Portugal.

So where can we currently consider for a holiday? In readiness for your first post-lockdown break, here are some suggestions:

Spain

Being one of the first countries to welcome the return of the British since 21 June, Spain will re-open its borders to UK visitors who will not have to quarantine on arrival. The country’s tourism minister confirmed that foreign tourists can book holidays in the country from 1 July.

France

British visitors can travel to France, the country lifting the ban since 15 June, though are being asked to go into voluntary quarantine for 14 days after arrival

Portugal

Portugal has managed to keep its number of coronavirus cases much lower than many of its European neighbours. The country is keen to offer an air bridge with the UK, despite recently experiencing a spike in cases in Lisbon. In the meantime, you will have to quarantine upon your return from the country.

Italy

Though initially one of the hardest-hit countries by COVID-19, the country has reduced their lockdown measures and since 3 June have welcomed the British back. Italy reopened its borders for travellers from the UK and the 26 EU member states as of 3 June.

Croatia

With the lowest number of active cases, is a low-risk country to be linked with the UK and has been inviting tourists in since May. Brits have been able to visit Croatia quarantine-free since 16 June.

Turkey

Brits are now able to return to the popular tourist resorts in the country, with flights from the UK to Turkey commencing earlier this month.

Greece

Greece is open to tourists, although quarantines between seven to 14 days are enforced dependant on coronavirus test results upon entering.

Germany

Tourists, including British citizens, have been welcomed back to Germany since 15 June.

Austria

The is also being considered for an air bridge with the UK.

St Lucia

The island unlocked its borders to international travellers on 4 June 2020.

Dubai

British tourists will be able to visit Dubai this summer as the United Arab Emirates prepares to relax its current strict entry rules to welcome foreign visitors again from 7 July.

Maldives

Will open to visitors in July 2020 with no testing, quarantine or visa required.

Tanzania

Has already opened its airspace and does not require arrivals to self-isolate.

Australia

UK citizens need a special exemption visa to travel to Australia

Travel Insurance

There are still providers of new policies around, but many are excluding cover for Covid-19.

Flights

Passengers will be expected to wear a mask at the airports and on planes. Under government guidance, they will also be encouraged to check-in luggage in order to stop the spread of the virus.

Starting from August, Virgin Atlantic are planning to return to 17 additional destinations on their flying schedule. Holidays are available to book now, along with trips to New York JFK, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, which start from 20th July.

EasyJet is to launch hundreds more international flights at airports across the UK from 1 July. Holidaymakers will be able to fly from 14 airports across the UK to a number of countries including France, Spain and Italy.

Ryanair is officially back with 1,000 daily flights from 1 July (across the network), though some routes started from 21 June.

BA currently has 29 long-haul routes on its list, and you are able to book flights leaving the UK as early as July 1. Things are changing daily…