Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
Updated 6th October 2021
Book with Confidence
New System For International Travel – Travellers Returning Home From October 4th.
From the 4th October 2021, new changes to the system come into action for travellers who return to the UK. The simplified system contains only a list of “red” countries, with all other destinations being open for travel. Currently, Vacanceselect do not provide holidays in any destinations on the red list.
For Fully Vaccinated Travellers
Although travellers will be required to take a PCR test on day 2 of returning home, they will no longer need to take an antigen test (rapid flow) when retuning to the UK. The requirement to take a PCR test on day 2 is likely to be removed at the end of October, being replaced with lateral flow tests.
For Non Vaccinated Travellers
For the time being, testing requirements for non-vaccinated travellers remain the same; you will be required to take an antigen (rapid flow) test prior to departing back to the UK, as well as taking two PCR test (Day 2 and Day 8) once you have returned home. Travellers will have to self-isolate at home for10 days. Travellers can reduce the self-isolation period if they opt in to the “test to release” scheme.
For Holidaymakers Travelling With Children
UK travellers aged under 18 are not required to take the antigen test 72 hours before returning home from their holiday. By the end of October, an antigen test on day 2 of return to the UK is required for under 18’, instead of a PCR test, and they will no longer need to self-isolate.
Travel Requirements For All Destinations
Before leaving the UK
You will be required to:
- Ensure that you check the entry requirements of the country you intend to travel to, especially information concerning testing and vaccination. The best place to keep up-to-date with entry requirements is on the FCDO website, where you can sign up to receive automatic travel advice email alerts.
- Until the end of October, everyone in your party over the age of 5 years old will be required to perform PCR test(s) upon returning home, according to your vaccination status. We advise to ensure that you have booked and received all PCR tests before departing on holiday.
While on holiday
You will be required to:
Fully vaccinated travellers are required to:
Unvaccinated travellers are required to:
- All unvaccinated travellers aged 18 years and over are required to take an antigen test within 72 hours of returning to the UK. Travellers should find a testing centre in your holiday destination or order test to take with you, from a UK Government approved supplier.
- Complete a passenger locator form 2 days before you are due to return to the UK.
Upon returning to the UK
You will be required to:
Fully vaccinated travellers & under 18’s are required to:
- Take a PCR test on or before day 2 of arriving back in the UK, for all travellers aged over 5 years old. At the end of October, the PCR test will be removed and replaced with a lateral flow test.
- Provide evidence of being fully vaccinated (plus 14 days) with a document (digital or paper-based) from a national or state-level public health body. As a minimum, the document should contain; name, date of birth, vaccine brand & manufacturer, dates of vaccination, country/territory of vaccination, certificate issuer.
- Please note, vaccinated travellers and under 18’s are not required to self-isolate.
Unvaccinated travellers are required to:
- Self-isolate at home for 10 days.
- For all unvaccinated travellers aged 5 and over, day 2 and day 8 PCR tests are required.
NEW “Pass Sanitaire” Health Pass for France to show that you are fully vaccinated
From the 21st July, the Health Pass is required for attractions and cultural locations where more than 50 people attend.
From the 1st August, the Health pass is also mandatory for access to cafes, restaurants, large shopping centers, hospitals and public transport. The health pass does not have to be presented when entering supermarkets or stores that are not located in a shopping center.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 do not have to carry a Health Card with them until September. Children aged 11 and under are exempt.
The pass sanitaire can be acquired by meeting one of the following three criteria:
1. Vaccination certificate, demonstrating that you are fully vaccinated with a vaccine authorised by the European Medical Authority. This must be 14 days after a second dose of AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and 28 days after a single dose of Johnson & Johnson.
2. Negative PCR or antigen test result from the last 48 hours.
3. A document (dated more than 11 days ago and less than six months ago) proving you have recently recovered from COVID.
The French government has stated that travellers when visiting France (after being vaccinated in the UK) will be able to prove they are fully vaccinated. This can be achieved in a few different ways. Firstly, by presenting the NHS certificate via the NHS App, where it is also possible to download and print or secondly, by presenting your NHS letter.
At Vacanceselect, we do everything we can to ensure our valued customers have a safe and enjoyable holiday, even in these uncertain times. Following the many changes to travel advice in 2020, we have amended our policies accordingly to offer greater flexibility so you can book your 2021 holiday with confidence and peace of mind.
To offer clarity, we have taken the most frequently asked questions from you, our customers and provided the answers below:
Q: How do I keep up to date with the latest travel advice?
Q: I want to book a holiday. How much do I have to pay now?
A: Book that well deserved holiday for a low deposit of just £99! Final balances are also now due at six weeks prior to departure.
Q: When is my balance payment due?
A: We have extended balance payment due dates for all 2021 holidays from 12 weeks to 6 weeks to allow you greater flexibility. Payments can be made via our Contact Centre team or via our website.
Q: I want to change my booking. What are my options?
A: If you need to make a change to your booking, whether it is your accommodation, your dates or duration, there is no amendment charge. *We will allow stays to be amended up to 7 days prior to arrival.
Important: Any amendments made within six weeks of departure, the holiday cost applied will be at the same or where applicable, at a higher rate.
*Within 6 weeks of arrival, travel costs can increase and in some cases due to our supplier agreements, are non-refundable.
Q: I wish to move my booking to 2022?
A: We understand that you may wish to move your booking to next season, due to the ongoing uncertainty around travel. We are currently permitting all 2021 bookings to be moved to 2022. For further information, please contact our Contact Centre team.
Q: The FCDO has advised against all but essential travel. What are my options?
A: If we are unable to deliver your booked holiday or you are unable to travel due to FCDO advice against travel, which is in place at least 7 days prior to departure, it is possible to:
-Change destination
-receive a 120% enhanced voucher
-obtain a full refund
Q: I no longer wish to travel. Can I cancel my reservation/stay?
A: If the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) advice does not change and holidays remain possible, then you can cancel your booking, but we must make you aware this is in line with our current cancellation terms and conditions. Cancellation fees will be applied in line with these terms.
Our 2021 Cancellation Terms are now as stated below. Important, these cancellation terms are not applicable for any holidays transferred from 2020. In the event you have transferred your 2020 holiday to a 2021 holiday, the cancellation charges applicable remain those per the booking conditions at the time your original holiday was made.
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Number of days prior to the start of
your holiday when written notification is received by us
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Cancellation charge / per party
cancelling
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More than 42 days before travel
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£99/€99
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42 – 28 days
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50%
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27 – 14 days
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70%
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13 – 8 days 90%
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90%
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7 Days or Less
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100%
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Q: If local lockdown is introduced in the area where I live what are my options?
A: In the event you are unable to travel due to government restrictions, where you live, we will offer the option to change your holiday to a different destination or date up to your day of arrival, without an amendment fee.
It is important to note, within 6 weeks of arrival, travel costs can increase and in some cases due to our supplier agreements, are non-refundable.
Q: I plan on making my own travel arrangements. Will I have protection?
A: If you have made your own travel arrangements, for example, but not exclusively, flights, car hire, ferry travel with another provider directly, you must speak with them and they will advise you of their own policies/procedures.
Q: What extra precautions should I consider when booking a 2021 holiday?
A: We highly recommend you travel with insurance cover. As all policies are different, we suggest you contact your insurance provider to clarify what cover is offered related to Coronavirus.
Q: What facilities will be open during my stay?
A: We endeavour to provide the same fun-filled holidays as always and only in exceptional circumstances will the usual services, facilities or amenities not be available or restricted which are out of our control or go against local government public health and safety guidelines. We continue to follow the official advice to ensure our stays are as safe as possible for our customers. As this is subject to change, guidelines may lead to some future restrictions; we will do our best wherever possible to keep you informed.
Q: I’m travelling soon, what advice should I consider from the country I’m travelling to?
A: We advise the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for the country you are travelling to, which includes entry requirements and a link through to the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) TravelHealthPro website. This website provides specific travel health advice for our destination countries.