Your covid-19 travel questions, answered

What is the Traffic Light System and what does this mean for international travel?

From 4th October, the traffic light system will be replaced with a single Red List.

As of the 15^th December 2021, all countries have been removed from the Red List.

Can I travel internationally?

Yes you can!
The requirements to enter any international depends on the country's restrictions and can vary due to a passengers vaccination status.

Returning to the UK is now simple, you are no longer required to:

• Complete any testing requirements. 
• Complete a Passenger Locator Form in the 48 hours before you arrive in England.
• Or quarantine at all upon arrival

Can I travel to the United States of America? 

From midnight on Sunday 12^th June, the requirement for a negative Covid-19 test taken one-day before departure for foreign visitors has been scrapped.

All adults must be fully vaccinated to enter the USA. Plus, passengers must fill in an Attestation Form when entering the US and must have a valid ESTA.

Children aged 2-17 years old do not need to be vaccinated, but do need to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test three calendar days prior to departure. If unvaccinated they will also have to take another test within 3-5 day of arriving in the US.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, entry is possible if you fall into a category of exception. Learn more on the US Embassy website. 

When do I have to quarantine in a Government-appointed hotel?

There are no countries currently on the UK Red List
If you are returning to the UK from one of the countries on the Red List you will be required to self-isolate for 10-days in a Government-appointed hotel. This is to stop the spread of new and unidentified variants of COVID-19. The Business Travel Quarantine Exemption and Test to Release scheme are not compliant for those returning from a Red List country. Under no circumstances can you be exempt from the 10-day isolation period in a Government-approved facility.

The cost of the 10-day stay must be paid by the passenger and is £2,285 per person. The fee is reduced if more than one adult is sharing a room. Additional adults cost from £1,430 per person and children from £325 each. Children under 5 go free. 

On days 2 and 8 of your 10-day self-isolation, a further COVID-19 test is required.
Your two COVID-19 tests and the quarantine facility must be booked before you return back to the UK.

Click here to be redirected to the Government Portal where you can book your testing package and your quarantine hotel.

Do I need a COVID-19 Test to return to the UK from my holiday?

No, you currently do not need to take a test in order to return to the UK, regardless of vaccination status. To discover more, click here.
 

What is the Test to Release scheme?

Because testing is no longer required for entry into the UK, the Test to Release scheme is no longer running. 

The ‘Test to Release for International Travel Scheme’ was introduced on 15^th December. Under the scheme, passengers returning to England from a destination that is on the Amber List list can end the 10-day self-isolation early upon testing negative for COVID-19. The traveller can choose to pay for a private test from day five of self-isolation - no earlier - and if found to be negative, quarantine can end.

The Test to Release scheme is not available to anyone who has been in or through any country that is subject to a travel ban in the 10 days before arrival in England. If you arrive in England and have been somewhere that is on the Red List during the last 10 days you must complete a passenger locator form and self-isolate along with members of your household in a Government-appointed hotel.

Read more on the Test To Release scheme.

How will the UK’s 10-day travel quarantine be implemented?

Currently arrivals into the UK are no longer required to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. 

NON-VACCINATED TRAVELLERS 
All non-vaccinated travellers are required to quarantine at home for 10 days upon return to the UK after international travel. On top of the pre-departure PCR test, a further test will also be required on day 2 and day 8 on return. Self-isolation can end early under the Government’s Test To Release scheme with a negative PCR test taken on or after day 5 of quarantine. 

RETURNING FROM RED LIST COUNTRIES (Note: as of 4.00am on the 15th December 2021, there are no countries on the UK Red List)
All passengers arriving into the UK from Red Listed countries (regardless of vaccination status) will be required to quarantine in government-provided accommodation for 10-days. Anyone travelling into England from these countries will no longer be allowed to self-isolate in their own homes, but instead will be provided with accommodation near to arrival airports where their quarantine can be monitored more effectively by the government. The cost of this self-isolation is £2,285 per adult (additional adults sharing the same room costs £1,430 per person and children between 5 and 11 is £325. Children under 5 stay free). The cost of hotel-managed isolation is the responsibility of the passenger. Further COVID-19 tests are required on days 2 and 8 of the 10-day isolation.

Find out more about red listed countries.
Book your testing package and quarantine hotel

What job titles are listed under the Business Traveller Quarantine Exemption?

Because testing and quarantine protocols are no longer required for entry into the UK, the Business Traveller Quarantine Exemption scheme is no longer running. 

The FCDO has recognised a list of job titles that are exempt from the 10-day travel quarantine upon return to the UK.
These exemptions are not valid for countries where travel to the UK is currently banned.
Upon return you must still obey National Lockdown restrictions in your country of residence.

View the complete list of business travellers who qualify for the travel quarantine exemption.

Where can I organise my COVID-19 test that's suitable for travel?

Winged Boots has a partnership with Randox Health and by using the code WINGED43 you will receive a discount on your at home PCR test kit. Tests cost approximately £43 per person, per test with this discount but bundle packages for 'amber travel' and 'green travel' are also available.
Click here to visit Randox Health’s website.

Alternatively, to arrange a home visit for your COVID-19 test you can use Covid-19 Private Test Ltd. This company visits you at your home and covers Essex, London, Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire. It costs from £150 per person, per test and is suitable for test prior to departure only.
Same day result tests can also be booked where the results are guaranteed by midnight, and cost from £350 per person.

Winged Boots has a partnership with DocHQ to offer supervised antigen tests at a reduced rate.
Fit To Travel Supervised Antigen Tests are reduced from £35 to £18 per person.
England Day 2 Supervised Antigen Tests are reduced from £27.50 to £22.50 per person.
USA Day 3 Supervised Antigen Tests are reduced from £27.50 to £24.50 per person.
Please click here to visit DOC HQ’s website.

Booking your COVID-19 test prior to travel is the responsibility of the passenger and Winged Boots will not take any responsibility for passengers who fail to do this. If a test result comes back positive before travel, Winged Boots will endeavor to protect the holiday and look into the best possible solutions such as change of travel dates, subject to availability. We recommend buying travel insurance that will cover any risks relating to COVID-19.

Do I need COVID specific travel insurance?

Winged Boots recommends that all passengers travelling internationally have travel insurance with comprehensive medical cover.
We have partnered with Rush Insurance, a specialist travel insurance intermediary, to provide comprehensive travel insurance that includes COVID-19 cover through Battleface or Allianz.

The two trusted insurers have multiple policies available with options that include cancellation cover, medical cover and repatriation across worldwide destinations – even those the FCDO is advising against all but essential travel to.

To discover more click the links below:
Allianz
Battleface
 

What does Brexit mean for European travel?

Read our latest Brexit news and how it will affect your European holiday.

Where can I find the entry requirements for the country I am travelling to?

All relevant and up to date information can be found on the Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website. Here are some quick links to our most popular destinations:

Abu Dhabi 
Barbados
Balearic Islands
Cyprus
Dubai
France
Greece
Italy
Maldives
Mauritius
Mexico
Portugal
Seychelles
Spain 
USA

Do I have to wear PPE at the airport?

Yes, all guests and staff at airports are expected to wear appropriate face coverings. This includes children aged six years and up.
 

Are airport lounges open?

This is dependent on the airport. Please check your departure airport website prior to travel for the latest updates.

How are airlines ensuring planes are safe for travel?

Airlines have multiple measures in place to ensure the safety of passengers and crew on board aircrafts including:

Disinfecting all hard surfaces within the cabin, as well as toilets and aircraft seats and carpets between flights;

Regularly cleaning high-efficiency particular air (HEPA) filters as well as circulating air in the cabin so it is completely replaced every three to five minutes;

Airlines have begun providing masks, gloves and liquid hand sanitizer to be used by the flight crew onboard. For additional passenger comfort, many airlines are encouraging passengers to bring their own cleaning products, such as disinfecting wipes, to be used at their seats to help passengers feel more at ease.

Are there new guidelines surrounding health and safety measures at the airport?

Airports around the world have been affected by COVID-19 and have implemented new policies and procedures to help protect travellers and employees. Many airports continue to add notices to their websites outlining how they’re handling the ever-evolving situation. Methods include: increased cleaning of seating, handrails, restrooms, people movers and elevators during the day; nightly deep cleaning of entire terminals; guidelines to encourage safety and social distancing and installation of hand sanitizing stations.

To find out more about particular London airport’s and FAQs surrounding coronavirus policies, click below.
London Gatwick
London Heathrow
London Luton
London Stansted 
 

Do airlines have specific policies in regard to social distancing, health and safety?

We are sharing airline policies directly with passengers alongside their tickets, once we receive the official documents from the airline. For more information on what specific airlines are doing to ensure passenger and crew safety, click the links below:
Emirates
Etihad
Virgin Atlantic
EasyJet
 

Are all the facilities open at hotels such as kids’ clubs, babysitting facilities, restaurants, pools and spas?

Yes, most facilities at hotels are now open. For the most up to date information for any particular hotel or resort, please ask your personal travel manager at time of enquiry or booking. 

Are Dubai’s waterparks open?

Aquaventure Waterpark, inside Atlantis The Palm, is now open. Stay informed on Atlantis, The Palm's latest news and facilities.

Wild Wadi Waterpark is also now open. Stay up to date on its latest news and guidelines for visitors.
 

Do we have to wear a mask when eating in a restaurant?

This is dependent on the restaurant and country you are visiting. To understand the complete social distancing rules, we recommend calling ahead when making your reservation.

Are hotel buffets open?

The majority of hotel buffets and á la carte restaurants are now operating as normal. If you have any questions about the hotel you are due to be staying in, contact your personal travel manager who should be able to address any of your concerns.