Coronavirus Latest Updates: Greece is opening for tourism by 14th May 2021

[harold]

we have been doing the lateral flow tests for 3 weeks now they are free,but for holidays it the pcr test that is needed.Found this which maybe useful.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/tui-offers-tests-for-travel-for-just-c2-a320/ar-BB1gpV9u?ocid=BingNewsSearch

[vivian]

we have been doing the lateral flow tests for 3 weeks now they are free,but for holidays it the pcr test that is needed.Found this which maybe useful.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/tui-offers-tests-for-travel-for-just-c2-a320/ar-BB1gpV9u?ocid=BingNewsSearch

lets hope they all decide to do the same, got to wait until tonight and see what Boris says now.

[Eggy]

Maybe Boris is booked at the Horizon so that will impact on his decision.
Negg

[harold]

Spain,France and Greece not on the green list

[turkeyfoot]

Hi
That means you need a negative test to be allowed onto your return flight to the U.K. on the third day before departure.
When in the U.K. you isolate for 10 days.
On day 2 and 8 of your isolation you need to have a PCR test. To be released early from the isolation you need a test on the 5th day of isolation. You still need to have a test on day 8 though.
The day 2 and 8 tests have to be booked  and paid for  in advance and the booking reference to prove to prove you have booked the test entered  onto to P L F form to be able to fly home
That's of now. Things may change still of course when it's reviewed in 3 weeks

Will still be going to Skiathos in June, providing of course Greece is amber and not red


Keep safe

Geoff

[ValL]

Should we actually get to Arillas in July where will we be able to get the required ore departure test to allow us to come home? 

[turkeyfoot]

Hi

Up till last week you had to take a PCR or lateral flow test to get a negative test before allowed to board the flight home. The test to be taken  under supervision 3 days before departure.
This is a UK requirment for the airline to carry you.

Last week the situation was, according to the press, speculation or not,  you were now  allowed to take your own lateral flow test with you for testing.

As what you do with it I dont know. Who supervises the test I dont know. I have not seen or heard any  reference to this since. Obviously the test has to be validated  by an official body for it to be recognised by the airline to allow you to board.

On the TUI website it states you will not be allowed to fly without a negative test. They said their local reps will assist in the proceedure

Fingers crossed more updates and clarification will be released soon. Just checked the government website and no updates showing.

Keep safe

Geoff

[soniaP]

I work from home so still probably gonna go - she says after 2 glasses of red wine. 🙄

[turkeyfoot]

I work from home so still probably gonna go - she says after 2 glasses of red wine. 🙄

Hi
Only 2 lol

Geoff

[soniaP]

Just had an email from Tui who are offering covid testing packages from £20 and cheap covid insurance.  So still a possibility for us.

[turkeyfoot]

Hi
The £20 test is for green countries. One test to leave and one test when you return

Geoff

[soniaP]

Yes appreciate it will be more and is only from £20 but still remaining optimistic..

[ValL]

Will feel much more confident if we knew for sure what test is required to come home, where we can get it and for how much. Government site says not NHS test so taking a lateral flow with you will be no good and you have to have proper evidence. Don't want to spend last days of holiday chasing tests and results

[turkeyfoot]

Hi

All very unsettling. If you are on a package, with TUI at least, they say the reps will assist with the pre departure tests.

Something I have seen in the online news this am is that the Transport Minister said the government do not recommend travel to amber countries!!!!!!
With this recommendation it  normally means the airlines do not fly and insurance is not valid.

I did not listen to the Downing Street  announcement yesterday . Did anybody else hear that comment?

Hopefully more clarity will be availble soon.  Due to get my tickets soon, so its wait and see.

Copied this from TUI.  Updated yesterday

From 17th May customers travelling from England will be subject to a new traffic light system with Green, Amber and Red destinations and TUI will operate to a number of destinations categorised in Green and Amber.

The following holidays categorised Green will operate as planned: Algarve, Maderia, Porto Santo.

The following holidays categorised Amber will operate as planned: Crete, Kos, Rhodes, Corfu, Zante, Malta, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and Cuba.

TUI Airways will fly from four airports – Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol – between 17 and 27 May.

Keep safe

Geoff

[turkeyfoot]

Just had an email from Tui who are offering covid testing packages from £20 and cheap covid insurance.  So still a possibility for us.

Hi Sonia
I believe you said you are on a flight only with TUI on a previous posting.
As we are with TUI in June just looked at their latest updates on testing costs and their offer for cheaper from the hub that is live from May 10th but, sorry,  found an issue. The cheapest offers only apply to package holidays. Hope I am incorrect that you are flight only.

HOW TO PURCHASE THE PACKAGES 

• You'll be able to purchase the packages through the TUI Chronomics booking hub. You'll find the link to the hub in, Manage My Booking or your Customer Account. This is where you'll also find more detail on how the testing process works. 
• You can purchase the packages from Monday 10 May.
• The packages are available to TUI package holiday customers only. Flight-only and accommodation-only customers can purchase testing kits through our other testing partners, Screen4 and Randox.


WHAT ARE THE PACKAGES?

There are four packages available, as follows: 

• GREEN – £20 per person. Contains 1x pre-departure antigen (rapid flow) test for your journey back from your holiday destination and 1x PCR test for day two after you return home. 
• GREEN+ – £60 per person. Contains 1x PCR test for your journey to your holiday destination, with courier costs seven days a week included, 1x pre-departure antigen (rapid flow) test and 1x PCR test for day two after you return home. 
• AMBER – £50 per person. Contains 1x pre-departure antigen (rapid flow) test and 2x PCR tests for days 2 and 8 after you return home. 
• AMBER+ – £90 per person. Contains 1x PCR test for your journey to your holiday destination, with courier costs seven days a week included, 1x pre-departure antigen (rapid flow) test for your journey back from your holiday destination and 2x PCR tests for days 2 and 8 after you return home. 


The pre-departure antigen (rapid flow) tests will include test verification and certification to fly back to the UK. As well as the testing packages required for your return to the UK, you can also select kits that include an additional PCR test for your journey to your holiday destination, should that be required by the destination you're travelling to. 

Keep safe

Geoff