Following the easing of overseas travel restrictions on 17th May, people across the UK have been frantically booking much-needed holidays abroad, after waiting up to nearly 18 months due to restrictions. However, knowing the difference between a PCR and an LFD test, and the rules for traveling to Green or Red-designated countries, can make or break the great British getaway this summer.

James Price is Chief Executive of Everything Genetic, which provides PCR tests for holidaymakers.

The company’s recent data reports online searches for flights to green-list countries rose by an astounding 475% over the last month. James shares his top tips on the details holidaymakers must be aware of if they want to beat the crowds and successfully take off on their long-overdue foreign holiday this year.

1. Keep up to date with the guidelines

After three lockdowns, a range of dangerous coronavirus variants and widespread uncertainty, it’s fair to say that the past year has been unpredictable. With this in mind, it’s vital that holidaymakers keep abreast of the latest government guidelines before they go-ahead and book. Under the Government’s traffic light system, holiday destinations are split into red, amber or green, depending on their level of Covid risk, with the dozen countries on the green list requiring no need for quarantine for returning travelers.

However, despite the easing of travel restrictions, many countries – even those on the green list – still require proof of a negative PCR test upon entry.

2. Get a PCR Test package

The race for PCR tests has begun, and with the NHS’ free-testing service not qualifying as valid, people will have too book privately. Unfortunately for holidaymakers, research from the airline industry group Iata, showed that the UK is one of the most expensive places in the world to take a PCR test.

The cost of PCR tests can quickly spiral if consumers are not careful – especially those with large families – with some private medical clinics charging around £250 per person, per test. However, not all is lost.

If you shop around, PCR testing kits are available with everything you need in them for overseas travel from just £49 plus postage and packaging. These give British holidaymakers all the necessary documentation to allow them to travel this summer where a negative test is given.

Available online, the kits are posted to you and include a signed validation by a Consultant Virologist to allow you travel. Providing you don’t have a positive test of course…

3. Take the test before you depart

It’s vitally important for people venturing abroad to give enough time for their PCR tests to be processed and for their results to be sent back.

As a rule of thumb, it can take between 12-36 hours to return the swab results following receipt of arrival at the labs, and you often have to rely on the Royal Mail,+

Remember, tests must be taken no earlier than 72 hours before departure which can be tight depending on what time you are travelling. Ensure you take and post back the test as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

It’s also worth re-acquainting yourself with the current guidelines on testing requirements, quarantine, vaccine certificates and anything else relevant to the destination you’re travelling to. You should also check any changing guidance whilst you are there to ensure you’re not caught out. As we all know, it’s been a year of turbulence, and government policy can change at very short notice.

4. And for the return journey…

You will need to arrange your return fit to fly PCR tests before the return journey. Even if you’re flying from a green list country, and even if you are fully vaccinated, you must take a PCR test 72 hours while in the country you’re about to leave before departing. On arrival at the airport, you’ll need to display evidence of a negative test in order to be able to fly.

One of the most important things to note is that on returning to the UK you will need your DHSC booking reference for the tests you have purchased to take when you are back home. This is provided as part of your test purchase process, so take a note and keep it with your travel documentation.

5. When you arrive home…

Green destinations – you must take a PCR test on or before day 2 of your return (the day you arrive is Day 0). Fortunately, you don’t have to quarantine. If the test returns positive, then the usual quarantine procedures apply.

Amber destinations – you will need to quarantine upon return, take a PCR test on Days 2 and 8 after your return. You can end your quarantine earlyby buying a Test to Release on Day 5, but this has can only be done if you have a negative result on your Day 2. If it returns as negative, you can free yourself from quarantine but you will still need to take a final test on Day 8. If it returns positive, you must quarantine for an additional 10 days in line with Government guidelines.

Red destinations – If you are arriving from a red-designated destination, essential travel only, you’ll have to make your way to a quarantine hotel where you’ll have to stay for 10 days and testing is provided as part of the package. If you do not provide accurate details about where you have visited, you could be fined up to £10,000, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.

Although it is clear holidays abroad come with more administration and costs than was the case previously, it’s exciting that we’re approaching some form of normality. It has also been confirmed that holidaymakers traveling to Portugal can now take Lateral flow or Antigen tests to enter the country, meaning holidays are now becoming even more accessible. With the right preparation, a clear understanding of the current government advice – people in the UK can enjoy affordable holidays abroad once again