As we near the end of the first quarter of 2022, the excellent news that is coming out in the travel industry is not losing momentum. With the beginning of March comes the news that Barbados, Italy, Dubai, and Sri Lanka will relax restrictions for UK travellers.
As the travel industry has adapted over the past two years, not only is consumer confidence beginning to revitalise, but the confidence of destinations is returning in full force too. With the Foreign Travel Advice page keeping up with plenty of fantastic updates for entry requirements, the simplicity that comes with the relax of restrictions could be a fantastic boost for consumer confidence.
Barbados Relax Entry Restrictions
The Barbados government announced recently that they will make a great change to their entry restrictions.
Following this announcement, travellers will no longer be required to provide evidence of PCR tests taken pre-departure. Though this is still an option, they will now also accept rapid antigen tests taken within 24 hours of travel.
These tests must be administered by a healthcare provider, a method that they have claimed is easy to find and quick for results, giving travellers much more freedom with their plans. Self-administered rapid antigen tests will, however, not be accepted.
This also comes shortly after Barbados lifted the curfew, another fantastic boost for travellers hoping to visit the islands.
“Travellers can also expect to see changes to the Grantley Adams international airport experience,” said Visit Barbados. “All paper forms previously distributed onboard aircraft arriving in Barbados will be discontinued.
“In addition, travellers will once again utilise the more spacious main arrivals hall, instead of the temporary Gate 14-16 arrivals hall previously stood up to manage port health entry checks and testing during the pandemic.”
Italy Ending Covid State of Emergency
The Italian government have also released plans to relax restrictions from Tuesday the 1st of March for travellers coming from outside the EU.
From the 1st of March, fully vaccinated travellers from outside the EU will no longer need to present evidence of a negative pre-departure test. Unvaccinated travellers will still need to present either a negative rapid antigen test taken 24 hours pre-departure, or a negative PCR test taken 48 hours pre-departure.
The NHS pass will also be accepted as proof of fully-vaccinated status, which is a great adjustment for UK travellers, allowing a simpler and stress-free experience.
This comes as Italy have decided to lift their Covid related state of emergency, and just in time for some great easter holidays.
Dubai Relax Restrictions
News released previously on Saturday the 26th of February came out with the great news that Dubai will now relax restrictions to allow fully vaccinated travellers entry without a PCR pre-departure test.
Unvaccinated travellers will still need to present a pre-departure test taken within 48 hours pre-departure, however children under 12 years of age are exempt from pre-departure testing regardless of vaccination status.
Sri Lanka Remove Pre-departure Tests
The government in Sri Lanka have also come out with great travel news today, the 28th of February. From Tuesday the 1st of March, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer require a negative PCR pre-departure test to enter.
Unvaccinated travellers will still be required to present evidence of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours pre-departure, or a rapid antigen test taken 48 hours pre-departure.
A traveller to Sri Lanka will be considered fully vaccinated as long as they have had two doses of an approved vaccination programme at least 2 months pre-departure. If the traveller is under 18, they only need 1 dose of an approved vaccination to follow the entry rules of a vaccinated traveller.
If a traveller has proof of recovery from Covid between 7 days and 6 months prior to travel, and they have received at least one dose of an approved vaccine, they will also be considered fully vaccinated.
This is all excellent news for travellers across the UK. With more destinations opening up, this doesn’t only give your consumers more options but will boost their confidence in travel with a larger majority of the world in agreement on the level of monitoring necessary.
So, if you’d like to learn more about how your consumers’ monies are protected with Protected Trust Services (PTS) and how we support excellent travel businesses, check out our pages. Or you can get in touch with the lovely PTS team by calling 0207 190 9988 or emailing us at ask@protectedtrustservices.com.
