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MILLIONS of Britons can be excluded from European holidays from January 1 under Covid rules after Britain leaves the EU.
Pandemic security regulations allowing free travel within the European Union will cease to apply to Great Britain in early 2021.
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The UK’s Brexit transition period with the EU ends on December 31.
The EU only allows essential travel from non-EU countries with low infection rates during the pandemic.
But currently only travelers from eight of these countries are allowed to enter the EU, The Financial Times reports.
EU officials told the FT that 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 safe list.
Only 12 EU countries allow travelers from the eight nations on the bloc’s safe list.
Norway, which is not a member of the EU, has already said it will block British entry from January 1.
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HOLIDAY BLUES
It means tourists from the UK, weary of the pandemic, could be hopeful of a continental break to favorite British destinations like Greece, Spain and Italy starting next month.
Travel companies reported an increase in bookings for early 2021, following news of the vaccine’s success last month.
UK airlines and airports have been rolling out Covid testing schemes in preparation for a surge in Britons vacationing abroad, as the vaccine spreads across the country.
Downing Street has also announced plans to reduce the quarantine for travelers entering the UK from high-risk countries from 14 days to five days this month, provided they can produce a negative Covid test.
An increase in Covid cases in Europe this month has seen countries like Greece and Italy already introduce new restrictions for the Christmas season, with a mandatory 14-day isolation period.
This is in conjunction with current rules requiring a negative coronavirus test, taken up to 72 hours prior to travel.
However, several EU countries that rely heavily on tourism revenue may be reluctant to ban access to the British holiday market.
2020 has been the toughest year on record for the travel industry, and hotels and other hospitality businesses are on their knees at vacation spots in Europe.
If you are denied access to one of the largest sources of tourists, in a year in which you hope to recoup the heavy losses of the previous 12 months, you will likely see protests from the industry.
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PASSPORT DEADLINE
Meanwhile, passengers could also be banned 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 the rules to be introduced at the end of the Brexit transition period.
Britons have been able to travel freely in the EU and the Schengen area with a valid passport, regardless of how close it is to its expiration date.
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The rule change is expected to trigger a last-minute rush to renew passport applications before the looming deadline.
It costs £ 75.50 to renew a passport online and £ 85 if you fill out a paper form.
Some travelers applying online have been told that they face a two-month wait to see their passport renewal, putting New Years travel in jeopardy.
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