Half Term Mountain Holidays Made Easier

15th October 2021

Last modified on October 17th, 2021

People returning to England will now need to take a lateral flow test rather than a PCR test. It follows the ending of the traffic light system and has given a further boost to people booking a ski holiday.

The new rule comes into force on October 24th, in time for the end of the half-term break.

The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said it would make foreign travel easier and simpler.

“Taking away expensive mandatory PCR testing will boost the travel industry and is a major step forward in normalising international travel and encouraging people to book holidays with confidence,” he said.

It applies to fully vaccinated people who arrive from countries not on the red list.

No main ski nations are on the UK’s red list.

Innsbruck airport, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

It will likely give another boost for people looking to book a ski holiday for next winter.

With the easing of travel restrictions there has been a surge in bookings with some operators hiring more sales staff to deal with the demand and the increase in workload.

Currently people need to take a PCR test on day two after returning to England.

They cost around £75.

Under the new system people will have to self- test, take a photo of the result and send it in.

Anyone who receives a positive result will then need to self-isolate and take a free PCR test to confirm it.

People will be able to order a lateral flow test from 22nd October, when a list of approved providers will be posted on the gov.uk website.

The move was widely expected as we reported earlier:

Hope for half-term holidays to the mountains

The move applies to England only as policy on travel is devolved, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have previously aligned with policy in England.

“We want to make going abroad easier and cheaper, whether you’re travelling for work or visiting friends and family,” said the Health Secretary, Sajid Javid.

For those wanting to get away to the mountains there are more than a dozen ski resorts open with some having excellent autumn conditions after fresh snow: