Published on The Times digital on 21st December 2021
Travelling during the pandemic is full of uncertainties. Even if you’ve booked your trip at the last minute, your travel plans could still be disrupted by a pre-travel Covid test that comes back positive unexpectedly. And with the Omicron variant on the rise and testing before entering the UK now compulsory, the chances of disruption are higher than ever. With that in mind, here’s what to do if you catch Covid before you travel or while on holiday.
Many destinations still require a negative Covid test before you travel, even if you are fully vaccinated. If you test positive just before you set off, you will have to self-isolate immediately even if you’re not showing any symptoms. You may not have to cancel your trip though — depending on who you booked your holiday with, you may be able to rebook the trip for another date or ask for a refund. It’s best to check the terms and conditions on your booking and speak to your travel provider first.
Be aware that changing your travel plans at the very last minute may mean additional costs, even if you are able to move the booking to another date. It may be possible to recover some of these costs through your travel insurance — double check the terms of your policy to see if it’s included.