Shapps Confirms Further Travel Restrictions Lifted

It is fair to say that 2022 has brought many fantastic announcements for the travel industry. This is clearly not destined to stop soon as Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, announced today (Thursday the 10th of February) that further travel restrictions will be lifted and simplified from tomorrow morning. 

After the announcement last month that fully vaccinated travellers would no longer require any testing on entry to the UK from February 11th (tomorrow), Shapps has brought us even more great news to go into action from 4 am tomorrow.  

These further restrictions to be lifted are not only going to result in simpler travel into the UK for all but have made travel to the UK for travellers who aren’t fully vaccinated more affordable and accessible. It also pertains to simplification of the Passenger Locator Form, though the details have not been disclosed yet. 

From 4 am on Friday the 11th of February, non-fully vaccinated travellers will only need to follow these restrictions: 

• Provide evidence of a negative pre-departure test taken.  
• Take a PCR test on or before day-2 of arrival in the UK. 

This means that the UK will be one of the most open countries to travel in our current Covid climate. This coupled with the opening of many fantastic destinations is excellent news for travellers and the travel industry alike.  

Of course, as always, these are only the restrictions for entry to the UK, if you would like to keep up to date on the restrictions for your chosen destination, then don’t forget to check the Foreign Travel Advice page or talk to your trusted travel agent and PTS member.  

In a tweet today, February the 10th, Grant Shapps said, “A landmark moment for international travel. From 4 am tomorrow, eligible fully vaccinated arrivals no longer need to test when arriving into the UK, and just need to fill out a simplified Passenger Locator Form. 

“As we become one of the most open countries in the world, again from 4 am tomorrow, arrivals who do not qualify as fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day-2 after they arrive in the UK. 

“After nearly two years of necessary but complex travel arrangements these changes will make it cheaper & easier for families to travel, taking advantage of the UK’s high levels of vaccination, and keeping us all safe.” 

This is excellent news just in time for a half-term getaway and this news of further travel restrictions lifted means that travel is more accessible than ever during Covid. 

So, if you’re looking forward to booking your next great holiday, don’t wait, get in touch with a travel business registered with PTS today for 100% financial protection through trust. Or, if you’d like assistance choosing one of the lovely PTS members to book with, you can contact PTS directly at 0207 190 9988. 

And if you’d like to learn more about your consumer protection with PTS or how the Package Travel Regulations protect your holiday booking, check out our pages and articles.