We want to keep you up to date on the travel situation to and from our trips this year. Not sure where to look? finding it all very confusing? Join the club. Let us break it down for you.
This summer we are travelling to the following destinations: France, Italy, Switzerland and Russia. Our travel advice is based on UK citizens travelling from the UK. If you are traveling from a different country to one of our trips please get in touch here.
Current Situation for British travellers:
It is no longer illegal to travel abroad for holidays as of 17 May 2021. You must bring your proof of vaccination and / or negative test results on all of our trips.
Countries we operate in and their current traffic light status:
France – Amber List
Italy – Amber List
Switzerland – Amber List
Russia – Amber List
Tests and quarantine on return to the UK
Fully vaccinated UK residents arriving in England from amber travel list destinations will no longer have to quarantine from 19 July.
However, they will still need to pay for Covid tests before and after their return, the transport secretary said. Full article here.
When travelling back to the UK, what you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. If you have been in a country or territory on the:
- green list – you must take a coronavirus (COVID-19) test on or before day 2 after arriving home
- amber list – you must quarantine in the place you’re staying if not double vaccinated, and all must take 2 COVID-19 tests
- red list – you must quarantine in a hotel and take 2 COVID-19 tests
France
Travellers who are fully vaccinated do not need an essential reason to travel to France and do not need to self-isolate on arrival. Fully vaccinated travellers will need to present the following documents:
- those travelling aged 11 years old or over, will need evidence of a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of departure, or a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours of departure
- a completed ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight. This can be found on the French government’s website
- proof of vaccination status
The NHS Covid Pass (England) can be used as evidence of vaccination status. If you live in Scotland or Wales, NHS letters will be accepted. Northern Ireland has introduced interim arrangements for travel abroad before its official vaccine certificate scheme starts.
Before you leave France to travel back to the UK you’ll need to:
- provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you leave for the UK. This can be done in a pharmacy in Chamonix for those on our Mont Blanc trips.
- complete a passenger locator form
Italy
Until 30 August, on arrival in Italy travellers who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days must present a negative molecular or antigen test taken in the 48 hours preceding entry into Italy and fill in a digital localisation form. They must also self-isolate for 5 days, at the end of which they must take a rapid antigenic or molecular swab test for COVID-19 and test negative for release. This means that any Mont Blanc trip that takes place before 30 August will not include the summit of Gran Paradiso. It will mean that we will do the training and acclimatisation in Chamonix. For all trips after 30 August we will wait on the government update and hopefully be allowed to travel to Italy without quarantine. More information from the UK GOV website here.
Switzerland
Based on the newly announced rules, persons entering from the UK by car, train, plane or bus are exempted from any Coronavirus-related restrictions as long as they present either a vaccination certificate, a negative COVID-19 test result, or medical proof that indicates that the holder has recovered from the disease.
More information from the UK GOV website here.
Russia
Direct flights are now approved from the UK to Russia. Unfortunately Russia is still imposing a 14-day quarantine for all UK arrivals. The Russian government requires all arriving passengers to obtain and present a negative COVID-19 test certificate dated less than 72 hours before travel. More information from the UK GOV website here
Which countries do I travel through on my trip?
Mont Blanc
For this trip you will travel through 3 countries: Switzerland, France and Italy. If necessary we can remain in France and avoid Italy altogether.
Monte Rosa
The Monte Rosa trip operates solely in Switzerland.
Matterhorn
The Matterhorn trip operates in Switzerland and France. We have the ability to cut France out if necessary and run the trip completely in Switzerland.
Elbrus
This trip operates solely in Russia.
Haute Route Trek
The Haute Route trek goes through Switzerland and France.
Tests for your return to the UK
If you require a Covid antigen test for your return to the UK this will be arranged whilst you are on your trip with us. For the Mont Blanc trip you can get a test in a local pharmacy in Chamonix. For the Monte Rosa and Matterhorn trips it is possible to do the same in Zermatt.
How do I know if my trip will go ahead?
Based on the latest travel information from the UK Gov which states that there will no longer be a quarantine for vaccinated travellers after the 19 July all of our trips from this date forward can now go ahead. Therefore if you are booked on a trip from this date forward you can consider your trip to be confirmed and we will ask for your final balance 4 weeks before departure. However, if you are not able to travel due to not receiving your full vaccination on time, we are offering free date changes for anyone who isn’t able to travel this year to 2022.
As always if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’re more than happy to run through your options over a call.
Phone: +44 (0) 20 3813 4779
Email: hello@adventurebase.com