Covid tests for teenagers are significantly increasing the cost of family vacations, with more than half of parents surveyed saying it’s preventing them booking last-minute trips. Jenny Southan reports
In November, travel insurance provider Battleface conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their opinions of winter sports holidays.
When the data came back it revealed that 53 per cent of parents with teens feel that Covid testing costs are preventing them booking last-minute trips.
(Now, all travellers aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or lateral flow test before they travel to England from abroad.)
Many other countries are also requiring travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours before arrival – or in the case of France – 24 hours before arrival for those who are not fully vaccinated. In addition, cheaper self-administered tests are not accepted.
What’s more, Battleface data shows that almost half (47 per cent) of UK adults with teenage children are unaware of specific requirements for their children, if they’re travelling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians.
European destinations including France, Italy and Spain consider full vaccination status to be vaccinated with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine at least 14 days prior to arrival (date(s) of vaccination must be specified), with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency.
Spain will not allow young people over 12 to enter the country if not fully vaccinated, whilst Italy and France demand that those not fully vaccinated test regularly in order to enter public spaces.
Katie Crowe, director of communications for Battleface, says: “The cost and complications of testing for holidays with teenagers this festive season is nothing short of a headache. Parents need to be prepared for the costs and logistics of testing before departure, whilst away and on return to the UK.
“While we all understand that new variants will make for a bumpy ride out of recovery, it is damaging that international governments haven’t managed to work together to align their Covid-19 regulations. Not only does every country have different travel restrictions and entry requirements, Spain is not even allowing those over 12 who are not fully vaccinated to enter.
“In addition, France and Italy, require non-fully vaccinated travellers to take tests every 24 or 48 hours in order to enter public spaces.
“As always Battleface recommends that you do the necessary research pre-travel – we have up-to-the-minute information on entry requirements. Visit the Battleface travel hub.”
Teen testing requirements for top holiday destinations
France
France has the most popular ski and snowboard resorts for Brits, with Christmas and New Year a peak time for snowy holidays.
In France, the government has suggested tests cost £25 for an antigen test and £42 for a PCR.
Everyone aged 12 and over will need a “pass sanitaire” to access services including lift passes and venues, bars, restaurants, museums, cinemas and modes of transport.
These are acquired by being fully vaccinated – considered to be two vaccines or by providing a document dated more than 11 days and less than six months ago proving that you have recently recovered from Covid or providing a negative PCR or antigen result from a test taken within the last 24 hours.
As teenagers in the UK have only routinely been offered one jab, it is likely they will need to test every 24 hours.
Teen test costs for France for a seven-day holiday (approx)
- Pre-departure test for France (taken in the UK on average) = £22
- £25 x 5 for while in resort = £125
- Pre-departure test for UK (taken in resort) = £25
- PCR test to be taken within two days of arrival in the UK from (taken in the UK on average) = £55
Total cost per teen with one vaccination: £227
Spain
An antigen test are on average £35 and a PCR is £85.
The Spanish government requires UK arrivals (excluding children under the age of 12 years old) to present on entry proof of being fully vaccinated (with both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a one-dose vaccine) at least 14 days prior to arrival in Spain (date(s) of vaccination must be specified), with a vaccine authorised by the European Medicines Agency.
Italy
With its beautiful historic cities and extensive ski regions, Italy is a popular destination over Christmas.
Italy has a Green Pass and Super Green Pass system. For a Green Pass, a digital COVID certificate showing full vaccination or recovery and a negative test result is needed to travel in Italy and to access hospitality and leisure venues.
Teens who are not fully vaccinated can obtain a green pass by testing negative – and this will be valid for 48 hours.
However, between 6 December and 15 January, Italy has brought in a colour-coded zone system with white, yellow and orange signifying areas with different infection rates.
Coincided, is a strengthened version of its Green Pass – or the Super Green Pass for destinations in orange areas. People aged 12 and over, including minors aged 12-17, will not be able to obtain a Super Green Pass on the basis of a negative test. All of Italy is in the white zone right now apart from Friuli-Venice Giulia in South Tyrol, which is orange.
A PCR test is approximately £52 and a lateral flow is £20.
Teen costs for a seven-day holiday in Italy.
- Pre-departure test for Italy (taken in the UK on average) = £22
- £20 x 4 for while in resort = £80
- Pre-departure test for UK (taken in resort) = £20
- PCR test to be taken within two days of arrival in the UK from (taken in the UK on average) = £55
Total cost per teen with one vaccination: £177
USA
From 6 December 2021, before boarding a flight to the USA, all passengers – regardless of vaccination status – are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before travel.
Travellers who are not vaccinated
- Must take a test within 3 to 5 days after arrival in the US
- Self-quarantine for 7 days after arrival in the US, even if you test negative, unless you have an exception
- Become fully vaccinated, if staying 60 days or longer.
Fully vaccinated travellers:
- Do not have to quarantine
- Are recommended to take a viral test within 3 to 5 days of arrival in the US.
Young people under 18 are exempt from the quarantine requirement but must take a test 3 to 5 days after arrival and self-isolate should any symptoms develop or if they test positive.
Teen costs for a seven-day holiday in the USA
The average cost for a PCR in the USA is £103. State costs vary with some costing £200+
- Pre-departure test for USA (taken in the UK on average) = £22
- Test within 3-5 days – average cost of PCR is £103 (some states cost £200+) = £103
- Pre-departure test for UK (taken in resort) = £103
- PCR test to be taken within two days of arrival in the UK from (taken in the UK on average) = £55
Total cost per teen with one vaccination: £283
Battleface travel insurance products cover emergency medical treatment, medical expenses for accidents and illness; adventure activities and travel with 24/7 assistance and claims services. It also provides cover for destinations regardless of FCDO advisories.