More than half of parents (53 per cent) with teenagers say the cost of tests for their children is preventing them from booking last-minute holidays, a survey from insurance provider Battleface has found.
All travellers aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or lateral flow test before they travel to England from abroad plis a PCR test on, or before, Day 2 of their arrival.
Many other countries are also requiring travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours before arrival – or in the case of France – 24 hours before arrival for those who are not fully vaccinated. In addition, self-administered tests are not accepted.
European destinations including France, Italy and Spain consider full vaccination status to be vaccinated with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival.
Battleface’s data also showed that almost half (47 per cent) of UK adults with teenage children are unaware of specific requirements for their children, if they’re travelling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians.
Katie Crowe, Director of Communications, Battleface said:
The cost and complications of testing for holidays with teenagers this festive season is nothing short of a headache. Parents need to be prepared for the costs and logistics of testing before departure, whilst away and on return to the UK.
While we all understand that new variants will make for a bumpy ride out of recovery, it is damaging that international governments haven’t managed to work together to align their COVID-19 regulations. Not only does every country have different travel restrictions and entry requirements, Spain is not even allowing those over 12 who are not fully vaccinated to enter.
In addition, France and Italy, require non-fully vaccinated travellers to take tests every 24 or 48 hours in order to enter public spaces.
