Here's whether you'll be able to go on holiday in July - and quarantine restrictions explained

The latest FCO advice states that Brits are still not permitted to travel abroad (Photo: Shutterstock)The latest FCO advice states that Brits are still not permitted to travel abroad (Photo: Shutterstock)
The latest FCO advice states that Brits are still not permitted to travel abroad (Photo: Shutterstock)

With summer now on the horizon, many people will be itching to escape for some sun, sea and sand on holiday.

But despite lockdown restrictions gradually beginning to ease across the globe, travel bans still remain in place in many countries, including the UK.

So when might travel abroad be allowed again?

Can I go on holiday in July?

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The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is currently advising Brits against all but essential international travel.

However, the gradual lifting of borders in Europe has now been proposed by the EU’s executive in an effort to restart the tourist industry, with economic affairs commissioner Paolo Gentiloni stating that the EU “will have a tourist season this summer, even if it’s with security measures and limitations”.

Spain’s tourism minister confirmed that foreign tourists can book holidays in the country from 1 July, with the mandatory 14 day quarantine rule for foreign tourists to be lifted from this point.

Many of Spain’s beaches were officially reopened to the public on 25 May, as regions that have entered phase two of the government’s de-escalation plan are now allowed to welcome sunbathers and swimmers.

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Beach bars were also allowed to open from 25 May, with strict social distancing and cleaning measures. However, some of the most popular beach areas across the country still remain closed.

Areas not included in phase two, including Barcelona and Madrid, will have to wait at least another week before they are allowed to reopen their beaches. It is estimated that around half of Spain is still in phase one.

As well as Spain planning to reopen to tourists, several airlines have also announced plans to restart their flights from July.

Jet2 is restarting its flights and holidays from 1 July, along with Ryanair, while easyjet is resuming a number of limited flights from 22 airports across the UK and Europe from 15 June.

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But despite plans to restart the tourism industry, the latest FCO advice states that Brits are still not permitted to travel abroad.

Will I be quarantined if I travel?

In a bid to limit the amount of contact international travellers have with people arriving in the UK from abroad, the UK government is imposing a 14 day quarantine rule.

The measure is expected to start in airports from 8 June and will affect anyone arriving by plane, train or ferry, with travellers required to fill in a form on arrival, including their contact information and an address where they will have to remain for two weeks.

If travellers don’t have anywhere to stay, accommodation will be arranged by the government.

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Health officials will perform spot checks to ensure compliance with the measures and fines of up to £1,000 will be issued if rules are broken.

UK travellers also face a 14 day quarantine on arrival to some countries abroad, although travel without quarantine will be possible to France.

The European Commission said its guidance involves countries working together to gradually remove travel bans, while keeping the virus under control, and eventually opening all of the EU’s internal borders.

However, this will be done slowly in phases, with destinations required to have coronavirus testing and tracing measures in place, along with tight controls on transport, accommodation and leisure activities.

Will ‘air bridges’ be introduced?

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The UK government is considering introducing ‘air bridges’, which could allow people in the UK to travel to other destinations that have a low coronavirus infection rate, without being forced into quarantine when they return.

Under current plans, any travellers who arrive in the UK are required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days – a prospect which may be off-putting for many who are thinking of going abroad.However, if proposals for so-called air bridges are approved, the UK government could make agreements to allow travel without quarantine with countries who have low rates of infection.

If such a scheme is introduced, British tourists could potentially be allowed to visit Greece and Portugal, which have both agreed to consider allowing access without a mandatory quarantine.

Air bridges linking the UK and the US are also being considered.

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Other countries around the world are also allowing travel bridges, with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania permitting free travel between one another, while Australia and New Zealand are considering similar measures.

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