Covid tests for teens 'putting families off of travel'
Will PayneThe cost of Covid-19 tests for young travellers is preventing families from going on holiday, according to insurance company battleface.
A study of 2,000 UK adults carried out between 23 and 26 November saw more than half of parents (53%) with teens say the cost of tests for their children before, during and after their holiday prevented them from booking last minute getaways.
Following the government announcement on Tuesday (7 December), all travellers aged 12 and over must now take a PCR or lateral flow test before they return to England from an overseas destination.
Many other countries are also requiring travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid test taken within 48 hours of arrival – or in the case of France – 24 hours before arrival for those who are not fully vaccinated.
And Spain will not allow those 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.
Battleface data shows that almost half (47%) of UK adults with teenage children are unaware of specific requirements for their children.
Katie Crowe, director of communications for the company, said the "cost and complications" of testing for holidays with teenagers 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," she added.
In France, antigen tests cost £25 and PCRs are £42, while in Spain, on average, antigen tests costs £35 and PCRs £85.
A PCR test in Italy comes in at around £52 and lateral flows are £20, while the average cost for a PCR in the USA is a staggering £103.
"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," Crowe added.
"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."
Sign up for weekday travel news and analysis straight to your inbox
Supplier Directory
Find contacts for 260+ travel suppliers. Type name, company or destination.
Editor's pick
Clients with kids? Consider Disney’s Encanto countryPARTNER CONTENT
Recommended For You
Latest travel jobs
Self-employed Holiday Sales Consultants
Junior Africa Sales Consultant
Travel Consultant - Barrhead, Newtownabbey
Competitions
Upcoming events
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
