Tour operator TUI has announced that it will offer all customers travelling to countries on the government’s “green” or “amber” traffic light list the chance to order their pre-departure lateral flow and PCR tests as part of their package holiday.
The news comes as TUI revealed its new partnership with the government-authorised test provider, Chronomics.
Customers travelling to green or amber destinations will be able to order their tests through a new Chronomics-TUI booking hub. The scheme goes live on May 10 and customers will be able to input their trip details and pay for their tests an hour after they’ve booked their holiday.
Those travelling to a “green” country will be able to purchase a pre-departure lateral flow test to be taken before they leave the UK, and a PCR test to be taken on or before day two of their return, for as little as £20. Additionally, those travelling to an “amber” destination will be able to purchase a lateral flow test and two PCR tests for £50. Again, the lateral flow test must be taken before Brits leave the UK and the two PCR tests must be taken on day two and day eight of their 10-day isolation period after they have arrived back in the UK.
TUI has also introduced two further packages which include outbound PCR tests if the destination customers are travelling to requires a PCR test on arrival. This package will cost £60 for green destinations and £90 for amber destinations.
This is great news for anyone looking to get away but worried about getting hold of the right Covid-19 tests. However, it is still essential that travellers protect themselves, and their trip, with adequate travel insurance should they fail any of the above tests. Here are just a few examples of situations that some travel insurance providers offer cover for:
- Cancellation cover if you or a member of your travelling party catch Covid-19 before your trip and have to isolate.
- Cancellation cover if you or a member of your travelling party have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19 and as a result causes you to isolate.
- Cover for medical and repatriation expenses should you catch Covid-19 while abroad.
- Cover for additional expenses, including extra accommodation and transportation costs, should you test positive while abroad and be required to isolate abroad.
Travellers must be aware that not all travel insurers offer this cover. Therefore, we strongly suggested that anyone booking a trip (whether abroad or here in the UK) shops around for their travel insurance, checks the policy wording, and makes sure they’re fully aware of the cover included before they purchase a policy.
