MSE News: Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca to move back onto amber list in travel restrictions shake-up

MSE_Helen_K

Spain's Balearic Islands - including Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca - are to be moved from the Government's 'green' travel list to the amber list from Monday for travellers returning to England, Scotland and Wales. The change means holidaymakers who are not fully vaccinated or under 18 will have to self-isolate for up to 10 days on their return...

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'Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca to move back onto 'amber' list in new travel restrictions shake-up - your rights'

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Vitae77

The story says:

"The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics – which affects refund rights and also travel insurance cover. As things stand the Foreign Office hasn't changed its advice and ISN'T warning against non-essential travel. This means:  You CAN travel without invalidating your travel insurance. If there's a Foreign Office warning against travel, most travel insurance becomes invalid – but for now, you don't need to worry about this."

I find that completely baffling because as far as I can tell the FCDO's blanket advice is: "You should not travel to amber list countries or territories."

Does that not mean that from July 19 the Foreign Office IS warning against travel to the Balearics, thus invalidating travel insurance?

If I am wrong, can someone please point me to the specific page where the FCDO says it's safe to go to the Balearics after July19?

Thrugelmir

Vitae77 said:

If I am wrong, can someone please point me to the specific page where the FCDO says it's safe to go to the Balearics after July19?

With the case count heading upwards in Spain. Somewhat of a improbability.  Just a matter of time before guidance is updated. 

Vitae77

The point I'm making is that the story is incorrect when it says: "The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics"......unless by "currently" it means until July 19 at 0400.    

Thrugelmir

Vitae77 said:

The point I'm making is that the story is incorrect when it says: "The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics"......unless by "currently" it means until July 19 at 0400.    

Is the journalist purely relying on the website (as it stands) or did they actually contact the FO for confirmation? 

Vitae77

Thrugelmir said:

Vitae77 said:

The point I'm making is that the story is incorrect when it says: "The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics"......unless by "currently" it means until July 19 at 0400.    

Is the journalist purely relying on the website (as it stands) or did they actually contact the FO for confirmation? 

Only the journalist who wrote the story can answer that and clarify the apparent confusion/contradiction.

RobinofLoxley

Vitae77 said:

The point I'm making is that the story is incorrect when it says: "The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics"......unless by "currently" it means until July 19 at 0400.    

As the Balearics are currently on the 'green' list, they are right in saying the government are not advising against travelling there.
That advice only applies to 'amber' and 'red' countries

From the 19th July the Balearics are moving to the 'amber' list, but on the same day the government is stopping advising against travel to 'amber' countries. 

p3ncilsharpener

RobinofLoxley said:

Vitae77 said:

The point I'm making is that the story is incorrect when it says: "The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics"......unless by "currently" it means until July 19 at 0400.    

As the Balearics are currently on the 'green' list, they are right in saying the government are not advising against travelling there.
That advice only applies to 'amber' and 'red' countries

From the 19th July the Balearics are moving to the 'amber' list, but on the same day the government is stopping advising against travel to 'amber' countries. 

Is the correct answer.

MoJoeGo

Thanks a bunch Grant... that's yet another holiday I'm going to have to reschedule (this time for a gaggle of 18yo 'single jabbers').

Croatia or Bulgaria it is then - at least Sunny Beach still looks cheap. For now.

MSE_Helen_K

Hi all, 

The FCDO advice at the time of writing and publishing this story is that travel to the Balearics is still acceptable - we don't know if this will change before Monday 19 July or indeed on Monday 19 July itself. However, we're monitoring this and will update our full Coronavirus Travel Rights guide here with any changes: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/02/coronavirus-travel-help-and-your-rights/

As some readers have pointed out above, the Balearics are still on the green list until 4am on 19 July at which point they will move onto the amber list. The Government is also changing its guidance from Monday 19 July and will stop telling people they should not be travelling to amber list countries. 

However, do bear in mind that the traffic light guidance and the FCDO guidance is separate and can differ - just because a country is green doesn't necessarily mean the FCDO won't advise against travelling there. 

Best wishes,
MSE Helen 

sheramber

Vitae77 said:

Thrugelmir said:

Vitae77 said:

The point I'm making is that the story is incorrect when it says: "The Foreign Office ISN'T currently warning against travel to the Balearics"......unless by "currently" it means until July 19 at 0400.    

Is the journalist purely relying on the website (as it stands) or did they actually contact the FO for confirmation? 

Only the journalist who wrote the story can answer that and clarify the apparent confusion/contradiction.

No confusion. Until they change to amber on Monday that information is correct. 

FCDO advice can change at any time- it is not always the same as the traffic light list. they  are two separate processes. 

Insurance normally provides cover it FCDO advice is not against travelling when you book or when you travel, which ever is later. So if you booked last week and travel on Friday you will still be covered.