Since Friday, thousands of travellers entering the United Kingdom have enjoyed the benefit of restriction from COVID-19 tests. Fully vaccinated arrivals did not need the requirement to present a negative coronavirus test before departure.

Though travellers still have to take a post-arrival PCR test as they enter the UK, but are not forced to isolate while awaiting the result.

And we even leant that double-jabbed travellers may swap the PCR test for a cheaper lateral flow.

The good news immediately triggered off holiday bookings across many offices of travel agencies across Europe with France also planning to let off steam from her stern COVID-19 travel restrictions.

“The travel industry has welcomed the change to the travel testing rules, with a surge in holiday bookings expected in the coming weeks,” said a travel expert.

However, the change does not favour those who are unvaccinated travellers, as they must continue to self-isolate and take multiple PCR tests.

Available travel protocol records state that “People who are fully vaccinated and those aged under-18 will no longer need to take a test two days before travelling to England from countries outside the UK and the Common Travel Area.

On arrival, they will have to take a PCR test but they will no longer have to self-isolate while awaiting the result

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“And from Sunday 9 January they will only have to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test on day two.

But this test must be bought from a private test provider – free NHS tests are not allowed. “Unvaccinated passengers will need to continue to take a pre-departure test, PCR tests on day two and day eight, and self-isolate for 10 days.”