Welcome to our COVID Language Hub

Top tips before you board your plane

So, you’ve downloaded your printable with the top COVID phrases you need to take the stress out of your holiday. What else do you need to consider before going away?

Here are our top tips to help you stay safe and make the best of your much-deserved holiday abroad:

1. Make sure you have the latest information for your destination before you set off
Check the official government website to see what restrictions are in place at the time of travelling and whether you need to complete any tests before returning to the UK.
Check out the EU’s Re-Open app, which has been designed to help people travel around the EU in the post-COVID world.

2. Expect things to be different when you travel
The whole world has been affected by the pandemic and different countries, cities and populations have had different experiences. Just as many people in Britain are still anxious about mixing, you are likely to come across locals who want to keep their distance. Respect the locals and be mindful that although it is your holiday, you are in their home country. Being culturally aware has always been important, but in the current climate it is more important than ever to respect the locals and their rules.

3. Check the local restrictions
Just as we have had to adapt to new rules and restrictions here in the UK – such as wearing a face mask indoors in public, social distancing, etc. – so similar restrictions have been implemented in other countries. Although these restrictions have eased in the UK and are no longer obligatory, don’t just presume that this is the same everywhere. Here are some examples of the restrictions currently in place at the time of writing (early April 2022):

• Spain:
  – Face masks must be worn in all public spaces, both indoors and at some large outdoor events
  – Face masks are mandatory for all children over the age of 6
  – Tourists are welcome but must show proof of being fully vaccinated on arrival (some exemptions apply)
  – Social distancing of 1.5 metres must be observed
• Portugal:
  – Face masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces and outdoors where social distancing is not possible
  – Face masks are mandatory for all children aged 10 and over
  – If you are fully vaccinated, you can enter mainland Portugal without needing to test
  – In cafes and restaurants, you must wear a face covering until you are seated
• Greece:
  – Masks are mandatory in all indoor public places
  – Proof of vaccination is required to enter public spaces such as shops, restaurants and museums.
  

4. Prebooking is now a must
Holidays where you play it by ear are (for now at least) a thing of the past – a lot of museums, art galleries and other attractions now require prebooking. Ideally, do some research before you leave the UK and decide what you want to do when you are away. If there are any museums or attractions that you definitely want to visit, make sure you prebook to avoid disappointment. Restaurants may also require prebooking and are likely to fill up sooner due to limited numbers, so try to reserve a table in advance or expect to have to spend a little longer finding somewhere to eat.

5. Make sure your mobile phone can cope
Mobile phones have been a useful tool for travellers for many years but now they are more vital than ever. Not only will you need your phone to prebook restaurants and attractions, but most of the tickets and entry passes are now digital, so you will need your phone to get in. Many countries also request to see some form of Covid Passport before allowing you entry to their premises, your phone will come in handy for this as you can download the NHS COVID Pass for travel.

Make sure your phone is up to the task – check your roaming charges to ensure you won’t rack up huge bills and invest in a portable phone charger so you can charge your phone on the go.

6. Get travel insurance
Things are still up in the air and subject to change at the last minute. Restrictions can change more or less overnight if infection rates rise and this can cause havoc with your travel plans. Take out a good travel insurance policy so you are covered if your plans have to change last minute and should you need medical attention when abroad.

7. Make sure you are familiar with words like facemask, vaccine, test centre
Your guide book is highly unlikely to contain COVID-related words and phrases that we need when travelling abroad in 2022, and Google Translate can’t be relied upon for its accuracy. Make sure you download our free printable with the phrases for your destination before you set off, to take the stress out of your holiday.

It is fantastic that we are now able to travel abroad again but we do still have a long way to go until things are back to normal. When travelling abroad, it is really important to be respectful of the locals, to make sure we know what the local restrictions are and to be as responsible as we would be back at home.

Hopefully these top tips will help take some of the stress out of travelling and will allow you to have a fantastic holiday. Bon voyage!