Fears of an impending lockdown have increased as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the world.

First discovered in South Africa, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has spread rapidly across the UK, with many areas having seen the infection rate soar to more than 1,600 infections per 100,000 population.

Scientists believe the variant is doubling every two or three days, and reports suggest Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering imposing new lockdown restrictions after Christmas in order to slow the spread of the virus.

For those unsure of what this possible lockdown would mean for their next travel plans, Essex Live has compiled a list of all of the Foreign Office’s current travel tips for traveling to Italy, Spain, France and Greece. . .

Italy

Italy will accept UK proof of recovery and COVID-19 vaccination as the equivalent of a green pass.

If you are traveling with a printed PDF vaccination certificate, it must be dated November 1, 2021 to ensure the certificate can be successfully scanned.

Your NHS vaccination center appointment card is not intended to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccination status.

If you can prove that you are fully vaccinated, you can enter Italy without needing to self-isolate.

But you need to complete the Passenger Tracking Form (EU PLF) before entering Italy to get a QR code to show your tour operator and border police. You can request a paper form if you do not have an electronic device.

You also need a negative PCR test done within 48 hours or a negative antigen test done within 24 hours before entering Italy.

If you are not fully vaccinated, you must complete the passenger tracking form, justify a negative coronavirus test, inform the prevention service of the local health authority of your entry into Italy, go to your final destination in private transport, isolate yourself for 5 days and perform another PCR or antigen test at the end of the isolation period.

Spain

The rules for entering Spain changed on December 1.

Before traveling to Spain, everyone, including children, must complete and sign an online health check form. If you do not complete this form electronically, you can submit it on paper prior to boarding.

Upon arrival at Spanish ports and airports, you must present the QR code issued when you completed the online health check form before traveling.

You must also prove that you are fully vaccinated at least 14 days before your arrival and that EU citizens and family members accompanying an EU citizen (including those traveling for tourism purposes), residents from Spain or those covered by one of the other exemptions listed may present alternative documentation to the vaccination certificate.

If you are fully vaccinated and are traveling from the UK, you can enter Spain without having to be tested or quarantined, regardless of the reason for your trip.

You must prove that you are fully vaccinated to enter Spain from the UK if you are traveling for tourism purposes. If any of the exemptions listed apply to you, you may be able to present other documents upon entry.

You may also be subject to additional point-of-entry checks, including a temperature check, visual health assessment, or testing upon arrival.

Passengers can also be contacted and subjected to a PCR, TMA or LAMP test at any time up to 48 hours after arriving in Spain.

Requirements are country specific. You can get a minimum fine of € 3,000 if you do not comply with the requirements.

France

Anyone wishing to travel from the UK to France, regardless of their vaccination status, can only do so for essential reasons, as defined by the French authorities.

French nationals, as well as residents in France, are considered to have an essential reason for traveling.

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Travelers traveling for an essential reason must provide a negative coronavirus test carried out within 48 hours of departure, provide their contact details, including the address at which they will be staying, to the French authorities via an online form.

They must also complete an international travel form to prove the reason for essential travel and provide a self-certifying ‘sworn statement’ form that they do not suffer from symptoms associated with the coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed people. case during the previous fortnight.

Upon arrival in France, all travelers must self-isolate for 48 hours, after which a negative PCR or antigen test is required to emerge from self-isolation.

Without negative results, you will have to self-isolate for 10 days.

Drivers of heavy goods vehicles or vans arriving in France from the UK can continue to do so without providing a negative COVID-19 test to enter France.

Germany

New rules have been put in place for travel to Germany from 11:01 p.m. on December 22.

The rules state that travelers from areas with variant viruses must undergo a PCR test within 48 hours of departure if they are being transported by plane, train, ferry or bus to Germany.

Rapid antigenic tests or other tests are no longer permitted.

Tourists are not allowed to travel to Germany from the UK, but UK nationals residing in Germany must show proof of residence when entering Germany.

Authorized travelers entering Germany from the UK must complete a digital registration prior to departure, regardless of their vaccination status.

Authorized travelers from the UK to Germany aged six and over must have proof of a negative pre-flight test, regardless of their vaccination status. It must be a PCR test.

The PCR test can be 48 hours old at the start if you enter Germany by plane, ferry, bus or train. If you are traveling alone, such as by car, the PCR test may only take a maximum of 48 hours to enter (see “Test Requirements” below).

Upon arrival in Germany, all authorized travelers from the UK must self-quarantine at home for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status.