Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Travelling Abroad Procedures (May 2021)

The safety of our clients is paramount and even more-so during the current Coronavirus pandemic. We are ensuring all our accommodations and suppliers have developed and applied Covid-19 protocols which can be read on each accommodation page our websites. Also, we will have personally visited a number of our key accommodations in order to satisfy ourselves that these protocols are being fully implemented and that the effect on the enjoyment of our guests’ holiday is minimised. In addition, the governments of both the United Kingdom and of our destinations have also implemented rules and regulations intended to safeguard the travelling public and the general health situation in this country.

Clcik here for our easy to follow flow chart >

CDO Advice (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) for Travel to Your Destination

In replacing the total ban on foreign travel on 17th May, the UK FCDO has reintroduced advice on the safety of travel abroad which may impact on whether holidays to certain destinations can go ahead, but travel is not illegal.  However, the requirements imposed by the ‘traffic light’ system only impact travellers after their return to the UK and thus do not have a legal relevance in the performance of the holiday contract.

Traffic Light System (For Entering the UK)

From 17th May 2021, international leisure travel from the UK is no longer illegal but strict border control measures will remain in place for travellers returning to the UK from foreign countries. Following the report from the government’s Global Travel Task Force, all countries have been attributed a colour designation based on a traffic light system which indicates the perceived risks posed of re-importing the virus to the UK by travellers returning from those countries. Whilst the actual colour attribution to a particular country does not affect the possibility to travel to that country, it dictates the requirements imposed upon travellers on re-entering the UK from that country as follows:

Italy & France including Sardinia, Sicily and Corsica is currently Amber; (as at 16th May 2021)

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

The following guide provides recommendations on how to comply with the various requirements to ensure the minimum disruption to travel to/from your holiday destination and what to expect once you are on your holiday.

• Ensure you have a valid Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and adequate Travel Insurance, ideally offering cover for cancellation / disruption due to Covid-19 infection or the consequences of travel disruption associated to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click Here >  for details.
   
• Ensure you have completed the appropriate arrival declaration forms:See “ENTRY REQUIRMENTS FOR SARDINIA SICILY & CORSICA” below.
   
• If you have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, ensure that you have the associated proof:  Click Here >  You should request this as soon as possible in order to ensure that you have this proof prior to travel
   
• Ensure you have proof of the appropriate negative Covid-19 test results if required. CHILDREN under 11 travelling to Corsica and under 2 travelling to Sardinia or Sicily are exempt from these testing requirements.
   
• Ensure you have the documents necessary to justify any exemptions you may have from needing to wear a face mask. 
   
• We also recommend that, prior to your departure from the UK, you make the necessary arrangements for your Covid-19 test that will need to be taken within the 72 hours prior to your return to the UK.
   
• We also recommend you pre-book the PCR test that you are required to take within 2 days of your return to the UK and the test required after day 8 if you are returning from an "amber" country. You will need the reference number of these tests to correctly complete your Passenger Locator Form prior to your return to the UK.   
   
• Ensure that your passport has an unexpired validity of in excess of 6 months on the date of your return to the UK.
   
• Ensure you have an adequate supply of face masks and hydro-alcoholic gel.

We have secured an arrangement with the following UK government approved supplier of the various Covid-19 tests required for arrival into your destination, departure from your destination and after your return to the UK. Once you have booked your holiday, please click the link below to benefit from reduced prices, the discount code will be supplied with your holiday invoice. 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SARDINIA SICILY & CORSICA 

SARDINIA:

• Irrespective of whether you have had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, you will need to be able to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS prior to your arrival on the island. This test can be either a PCR or antigen (lateral flow) test.
   
• If the above criteria are met, there is no longer a requirement for visitors to Sardinia from the UK to self-isolate on arrival.

• For arrivals into anywhere in Italy, the following electronic Passenger Locator form must be completed: Click Here>

SICILY:

• Currently to enter Sicily, irrespective of vaccination you must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS  prior to your arrival on the island. This test must be a PCR test. If the above criteria are met, there is no longer a requirement for visitors to Sicily from the UK to self-isolate on arrival.
   
• NO LESS THAN 48 HOURS prior to your arrival in Sicily, you must register your details by completing the form on the following link: Click Here > 
   
• For arrivals into anywhere in Italy, the following electronic Passenger Locator form must be completed: Click Here >

CORSICA:

• You will be required to present proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken NO MORE THAN 72 HOURS prior to your arrival and you will be required to self-isolate for 7 days, following which a further negative PCR test will be necessary.* These restrictions are due to be relaxed with effect from 9th June.
   
• You will also be required to complete and present one of the following self-declarations to the authorities on your arrival in Corsica (different forms for passengers whether over or under 11 years’ of age): Click Here >

AT THE UK DEPARTURE AIRPORT

• You should be able to provide proof of your negative Covid-19 test.
   
• You will be required to wear a mask from the moment you enter the airport building. The mask you wear should be FFP2 (or medically certified). If you have an exemption from wearing a mask, you will need to be able to provide proof of this.
   
• You will be required to respect social distancing rules.
   
• You should minimise contact with all surfaces.
   
• At check-in, you may be asked to provide your self-declaration form: See "ENTRY REQUIRMENTS FOR SARDINIA SICILY & CORSICA" above
   
• Ensure you have sufficient masks and hydro-alcoholic gel in your hand luggage for the entire journey to your destination accommodation.

ON THE AEROPLANE

Currently, none of the airlines flying to our destinations are requiring proof of negative testing or vaccination as part of their conditions of carriage. However, all adopt safety protocols including:

• Compulsory wearing of face masks from boarding to disembarking the aircraft. The mask you wear should be FFP2 (or medically certified). (If you have an exemption from wearing a mask, you will need to be able to provide proof of this).
• Minimising movement through the cabin.
• Due to the current restrictions, some airlines have ceased offering in-flight catering so please ensure you have plenty of water and snacks for your journey.
• You may also wish to carry antiseptic wipes with you to sanitise seats, armrests, tray-tables etc.

ON ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION AIRPORT

SARDINIA

• You will be required to present the receipt for your on-line registration form which you should have completed on-line prior to your departure from the UK.
   
• You will be required to present proof of having had a negative Covid-19 test NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS before departure from the UK. (PCR or Lateral Flow)

SICILY

• You will be required to present the receipt for your on-line registration form which you should have completed on-line prior to your departure from the UK.
   
• You will be required to present proof of having had a negative Covid-19 test NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS before departure from the UK. (Currently PCR only). PLEASE NOTE: Antigen (lateral flow) tests are currently NOT accepted for arrival into Sicily

CORSICA

• You will be required to present proof of having had a negative PCR Covid-19 test NO MORE THAN 72 HOURS before departure from the UK. PLEASE NOTE: Antigen (rapid flow) tests are NOT accepted for arrival into Corsica
   

TRAVELLING TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION

CAR HIRE

Whilst our vehicle-hire partners exercise the necessary care and diligence in the preparation of their vehicles, we recommend that our clients consider wiping down the steering wheel, gear lever, indicator/wiper stalks and any other frequently touched services in the interior of the car.

TRANSFER

All our transfer partners are bound by, and comply with, a state-regulated protocol for the preparation of their vehicles and for the protection measures inside the vehicle which includes the compulsory wearing of a surgical mask by the driver.  Many of the transfer vehicles will have hydro-alcoholic gel available for passengers.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR ACCOMMODATION

All the accommodations we offer have Covid-19 protocols in place in order to ensure their practices of the preparation of accommodation and operation of the establishment comply with the relevant government’s regulations on health and safety - especially within the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Our clients can therefore be confident that their accommodation meets the highest sanitary standards. Whilst the public areas of the accommodations will also be regularly cleaned and sanitized, you may wish to carry antiseptic wipes to ensure that surfaces are clean.

WHILST YOU ARE ON HOLIDAY

Whilst we appreciate that holidays are intended to be a relaxing experience, given the current pandemic, please still be aware of your own safety and the safety of others. Accordingly, for the benefit of all, please:

• Wear a mask where so required
   
• Ensure compliance with social distancing rules
   
• Clean hands regularly, ideally with hydro-alcoholic gel
   
• Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces
   

Each island has its own status attributed by the national government which dictates the extent to which bars, restaurants and shops are allowed to open, the activities that can be enjoyed and, if imposed, the hours of curfew:

• SARDINIA AND SICILY Click Here for details>
• CORSICA Click Here for details >
 

PREPARING TO RETURN TO UK

Prior to returning to the UK please:

• Ensure that you have taken your Covid-19 test NO MORE THAN 72 HOURS prior to your scheduled departure from the island. The results of test must be in English, French or Spanish. Click Here for more details >  CHILDREN UNDER 11 years of age on the date of arrival into the UK are EXEMPT from this test requirement.
   
• Ensure that you have arranged the PCR test that you must take within 48 hours of your arrival back into the UK. Proof of this/reference number will need to be entered on the ‘Passenger Locator Form’ (see below). Failure to do this will result in you being denied boarding the aircraft and you will be committing a criminal offence. You may also be refused entry to the UK.
   
• Ensure you have completed and submitted your ‘Passenger Locator Form’ Click Here for more details > 

For further information, please see the following link: Click Here > 

We have secured an arrangement with the following UK government approved supplier of the various Covid-19 tests required for arrival into your destination, departure from your destination and after your return to the UK. Once you have booked your holiday, please click the link below to benefit from reduced prices, the discount code will be supplied with your holiday invoice. 

PLEASE ENSURE YOU BOOK YOUR TESTS SUFFICIENTLY FAR IN ADVANCE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT YOU WILL HAVE THE NECESSARY PROOF IN TIME TO TRAVEL

AT YOUR HOLIDAY DEPARTURE AIRPORT

• You will be required to wear a mask from the moment you enter the airport building. The mask you wear should be FFP2 (or medically certified). If you have an exemption from wearing a mask, you will need to be able to provide proof of this.
   
• You will be required to respect social distancing rules.
   
• You should minimise contact with all surfaces.
   
• Ensure you have sufficient masks and hydro-alcoholic gel in your hand luggage for the entire journey.
   
• Be prepared to show proof to the airline that you have complied with all UK entry requirements including:
  • Having a negative Covid-19 test carried out within 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
  • Correctly completed the Passenger Locator Form.

WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE UK

Be ready to present your documents at border control including:

• Your passport
   
• Proof of a negative Covid-19 test carried out within 72 hours of your departure from your holiday destination – failure to do so can result in a £500 fine.
   
• Your Passenger Locator Form.​
   
• Evidence of the address at which you will be self-isolating if returning from a country on the ‘amber’ list.
   

AFTER YOU RETURN TO THE UK

Don’t forget to take your PCR test within 48 hours of your arrival (and the second test on or after day 8 if arriving from a country on the ‘amber’ list) CHILDREN UNDER 4 years of age on the date of arrival into the UK are EXEMPT from this test requirement.

MORE INFORMATION

Further information can be found on the UK government websites:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france
https://www.abta.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak

Customer Covid Charter Click Here> 

DISCLAIMER

The above information is believed to be correct at the time of issue 11:00 17/06/2021

You, the customer, assume full and complete responsibility for checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, certification, evidence of Covid-19 tests or other entry requirements, such as passenger locator forms for your destinations and your connecting points, and all conditions regarding health, safety and security at such destination. Many countries require your passport to be valid for six months or more after your date of entry. Hargreaves and Nurse Ltd accept no responsibility for the consequences of any delay in receipt of test results nor the results of Covid- 19 tests.