From the 10th July the list of countries that are exempt from the Foreign Office advice of all but essential travel has changed. BUT yes there is a but… many of the countries on the list are not yet allowing tourists to visit, or you need to self isolate on arrival for 14 days. Many countries require you to have a test certificate less than 72 hours old proving that you are Covid Free. Please note that this needs to be a private test as the NHS tests do not provide a certificate. There is also a form that you need to complete before arriving back in the UK.

For the full list and more information check out the FCO link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel

Read this first hand review of a customer who flew last week from Gatwick with Easyjet.

Online as well, completely normal again.

Self service bag drop, guided by an interactive screen which prints the baggage tags for you to attach yourself. Masks are to be worn at all times throughout the airport. Staff here seemed a little stressed but only normal with all the new measures in place. All queues are similar to those found outside supermarkets with tape on the floor measuring 2m between each group. One of our bags was flagged for assistance since it was oversized and we had to take it to a desk for oversized luggage on a different floor. This was very simple and there was no queue up there whatsoever.

Quickest customs I have ever been through. 7am is meant to be one of the busiest times of the day in an airport but we were through within 5 minutes. Hand sanitiser is provided at stations around the departure hall and customs. Social distancing markers on the floor are present. All staff wear masks and gloves, all flyers wear masks and gloves are optional.

We didn’t shop there but it was empty. Fully staffed but no one was shopping.

The only shops that were open that we could see were W H Smith’s and Boots. All clothing shops and restaurants closed. Normally at Gatwick on the departure boards you could probably see flights taking off 3-4 hours away, we could see tomorrow’s flights at the bottom of the board. Plenty of empty seats to sit on allowing for social distancing.

The first time I took off my mask was when they needed to see my face for passport control, You have to put it back on immediately afterwards. They called ‘speedy boarding’ tickets up first, followed by 3 rows at a time,starting from the back of the plane to minimise queues and bunching up whilst boarding.

Mask wearing still obligatory. Those who took their mask off were swiftly told by air stewards/stewardesses to put it back on. The flight was probably 1/3 capacity, however there were some groups on the same row from different parties. No in-flight services such as food or shopping magazines. Toilets were operational, but no queues of more than 2 people. When disembarking the plane you must wait for the row in front of you to have left before you stand up to get luggage out of the overhead locker.

Small queue but only normal after a flight has just landed. All of it is computer operated if you have the biometric passports like we do.

Works as normal. Hold ups on passport checks and lack of flight passengers made it very easy to claim baggage while maintaining a 2m distance.

The experience on holiday will also be different. On board the plane you may be asked not to wipe down the table and seats with anti bac wipes as the flights have been sprayed with a anti viral spray. You may take your own snacks and soft drink but no alcohol.

When you arrive in resort things will also be very different. Hotels will ask you to book a specific time for your meals even if you have an all inclusive package. In your room there will be no room service menu’s, mini bars or other paperwork. Instead there will be a laminated card and an opportunity to download the menus. Rooms will only be cleaned if the room is empty and not every day to limit contact.

For specific advice on your chosen destination please do give me a call on 01295 231525 or email Catherine.blackburn@brillianttravel.co.uk