What to expect when holidays restart - as government warns of long border delays

The next phase of easing lockdown restrictions is fast-approaching, with further relaxations to take effect later this month thanks to falling Covid rates.

The reopening of indoor hospitality, meeting inside and some large events are among the key changes to be implemented, along with the possible resumption of foreign travel.

The UK government is preparing to introduce a new risk-based traffic light system for foreign travel, which will see countries ranked as either red, amber or green.

Travellers returning to the UK from “green” rated countries will not be required to self-isolate, although pre-departure and post-arrival Covid tests will still be needed. Those returning from counties classed as “amber” or “red” will be required to self-isolate or enter quarantine.

The UK government is expected to publish its green list of holiday destinations this week, as it prepares to reopen foreign travel from 17 May.

But travellers are being warned to expect huge delays at the border when international travel resumes due to the coronavirus paperwork that will need to be completed.

This is what is known about plans to reduce waiting times on returning to the UK, and how travel will be managed safely.

‘Queues and wait times will be longer’

As new measures have had to be introduced for international that did not exist prior to the pandemic, travellers are being warned to prepare for longer wait times at the border to ensure compliance with these requirements.

These queues will be longer if travellers have not completed the necessary requirements to enter the UK, including purchasing test packages and booking their hotel quarantine in advance.

Everyone who is allowed to enter England from outside the Common Travel Area (Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) must take a pre-departure Covid-19 test 72 hours before arrival, complete a passenger locator form, self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, and have a Covid-19 test booked test on day two and day eight.

Passengers who have travelled through or from a red list country in the 10 days before travel must take a pre-departure test 72 hours before arrival, complete their passenger locator form, and have a hotel booking for 10 days after arrival.

Airlines are legally required to ensure that all passengers have met these requirements before travelling to the United Kingdom.

On arrival, Border Force conducts further checks to ensure arriving passengers have met these requirements, and specific processes will be in place for those arriving from red list countries to ensure they enter into hotel quarantine.

How will queues be managed at borders?

In an effort to cut queues at borders, officials are now working on plans to automate some coronavirus checks to speed up re-entry into the UK.