Brits could be banned from European holidays from New Year under Covid travel rules - The Sun

MILLIONS of Brits may be banned from European holidays from January 1 under Covid rules after Britain leaves the EU.

Pandemic safety regulations allowing free travel within the European Union will stop applying to Britain at the start of 2021.

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Millions of Brits could be banned from travelling to the EU under post-Brexit Covid rulesCredit: EPA

Under EU pandemic rules, non-essential travel is only allowed from non-EU countries with low infection ratesCredit: AFP or licensors

The UK's Brexit transition period with the EU ends on December 31.

The EU is only allowing essential travel from non-EU countries with low infection rates during the pandemic.

But only travellers from eight of these countries are currently allowed into the EU, The Financial Times reports.

EU officials told the FT there are no plans to add the UK to this list of safe countries.

Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are among the countries on the EU's safe list.

Only 12 EU countries allow travellers from all eight nations on the bloc's safe list.

Norway, which is not an EU member, has already said it will block Brits from entering from January 1.

The EU is only allowing essential travel from non-EU countries with low infection ratesCredit: W8MEDIA

HOLIDAY BLUES

It means pandemic-weary holidaymakers from the UK could have hopes of a continental getaway to favourite Brit destinations like Greece, Spain and Italy dashed from next month.

Travel companies reported a surge in bookings for early 2021, following news of the vaccine success last month.

Airlines and airports in the UK have been launching Covid testing schemes in preparation for a rise in Brits going on foreign holidays, as the vaccine rolls out across the country.

Downing Street has also announced plans to slash quarantine for travellers entering the UK from high risk countries from 14 days to five days this month, providing they can produce a negative Covid test.

A surge in Covid cases across Europe this month has seen countries like Greece and Italy already introducing new restrictions for the holiday season, with a mandatory 14-day isolation period.

This is alongside the current rules requiring a negative coronavirus test, taken up to 72 hours before travel.

PASSPORT DEADLINE

Meanwhile, passengers could also be barred from entering EU countries from January 1 unless they renew their passports.

Tourists heading to Europe will need at least six months remaining on their travel documents under rules set to be introduced at the end of the Brexit transition period.

Brits have previously been able to travel freely in the EU and the Schengen area with a valid passport, regardless of how close it is to its expiry date.

The change in rules is expected to trigger a last-minute dash to renew passport applications ahead of the looming deadline.

It costs £75.50 to renew a passport online and £85 if you fill out a paper form.

Some travellers applying online have been told they face a two-month wait to see their passports renewed - putting New Year trips in jeopardy.

Millions of Brits could be barred from entering EU countries from January 1 unless they renew their passports (stock)Credit: Solarpix

Chris Whitty says UK likely to have 'portfolio of three or four vaccines we can use' by mid-2021

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2020-12-10 07:35:41Z
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