The government has said that travellers returning from green list countries under its traffic light system this summer will still need to pay for tests. Previous Which? research has found private test requirements can add hundreds of pounds to the cost of a trip.
From 17 May the government plans to operate a traffic light system of red, amber and green for all countries and individual islands. That date remains dependent on health data, and is the earliest international travel can resume. When the traffic light system is launched the current ban on non-essential travel will be removed.
Countries and islands will be assigned colours based on a range of Covid-19 health metrics, including vaccination numbers and infection rates. Variants and the ability of the country to identify variants will also be considered.
[co-author: Ryann Stout]
Please note: while we address some country-specific updates related to the COVID-19 outbreak, the below contains information regarding global restrictions and closures as they stand today. Given the constantly changing nature of this situation, we highly recommend reviewing any global mobility inquiries on a case-by-case basis, including any consulate-specific or immigration authority resources, in “real-time” before traveling internationally. Please reach out to our Global Mobility Team in advance of any international travel.
Canada - New Travel Restriction and Immigration Regulation Updates
COVID Based Travel Restrictions: Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and concerns about COVID-19 variants, the Canadian federal government has recently imposed a 30-day ban on all direct passenger flights from India and Pakistan to Canada. Air passengers who depart from India or Pakistan, but arrive in Canada via a third country, will need to produce a n
Irish Travel Agents Association call on Government to implement Digital Green Certificates as soon as possible
The ITAA are calling on Government to engage with the EU initiative now, as part of a wider plan for the reopening of the travel sector later this year
Reporter:
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The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) are calling on Government to support and engage with the EU and implement Digital Green Certificates as soon as possible, which could allow travel to resume within the EU later this year. The ITAA believe that these certificates could help to repair some of the damage caused to the Irish travel sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccines could yet kick-start international travel, but it's a long time coming for international families forced to live apart in a time where because of inflexible Covid border restrictions it often takes the death of loved one to bring them back together.