CORONAVIRUS has ruined millions of holiday plans, as well as left many families confused as to when their trip can go ahead.
As the virus continues to spread, new restrictions are being put in place alongside travel bans – such as 14-day quarantine restrictions.
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What are the current quarantine rules in the UK?Credit: PA:Press Association
We’ve explained what the quarantine rules are and what it means for your summer holiday.
What are the quarantine rules in the UK?
The government is enforcing a two-week quarantine for anyone entering the country from the beginning of June, either by plane, train or boat.
This will apply to both Brits returning to the country as well as international tourists.
Anyone entering the country will need to provide contact details of where they are staying, and anyone who refuses to quarantine will be fined £1,000 or even face jail time.
Police will also be conducting checks to ensure people are quarantining and not leaving their residence for the two-week period.
For Brits living in the UK, they can quarantine at their own home, but will not be allowed to leave the house for two weeks.
Anyone without accommodation will be provided somewhere by the government.
It is also worth remembering that travelling abroad is warned against by the government if non-essential.
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All incoming passengers must quarantine for two weeks when entering the UKCredit: AFP or licensors
Will I have to quarantine on holiday?
Depending on the country, Brits will have to quarantine as soon as they land in a foreign country.
France, Spain, Bulgaria and Greece all currently enforce a 14-day quarantine for anyone entering.
Some countries are debating “air bridges” which would allow quarantine-free travel between them both.
Greece and Portugal have suggested starting this with the UK, however they are not currently enforced and unlikely to be any time soon.
A Whitehall source told the Daily Mail: “The quarantine rules will be reviewed every three weeks but I think people would be unwise to book a foreign holiday in the expectation that an ‘air bridge’ will open up in time for the summer holidays.
“It’s the sort of idea you might look at as you exit a quarantine system. But we are just getting started.”
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said yesterday: “It’s an option under consideration but not agreed Government policy.”
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Airports around the world are considering measures including temperature checks and quarantines
What does it mean for my summer holiday?
Sadly, a summer holiday abroad is unlikely with the quarantine rules.
Families could be forced to take five weeks of annual leave for a one week holiday, with two weeks of quarantine in the foreign country, and then another two weeks when returning to the UK.
Ministers have already warned that a trip abroad may be off the cards – Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was a “risk” to book a holiday abroad while Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned summer holidays were “likely” to be cancelled this year.
Some airlines are hoping to restart flights this summer – easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and British Airways will be resuming by July – but will not be able to if the quarantine is in place.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called the plans “idiotic” and “unimplementable” while BA warned they may have to delay the return of flights if it is implemented.
Many countries and airports are asking for temperature checks instead of quarantines to encourage travellers to go abroad.
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Alexandre de Juniac, chief executive of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), warns that the two-week period would stop travellers going on holiday.
He explained to ABC: “[Quarantine] is a major deterrent.”
He added it “wasn’t necessary” and that temperature checks and health checks were a better way of reducing the spread of the virus.
Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis calls for the UK to stop their two-week quarantine and kickstart holidays for Brits
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