Travel
Campsites in England will finally be able to reopen on July 4th
Everything you need to know…
The latest update from the government means campsites will be able to reopen from July 4th with good hygiene in communal spaces.
Campsites, caravan parks, hotels and B&Bs were all given the green light in the latest lockdown easing announcement from Boris Johnson on Tuesday June 24th.
Speaking at the House of Commons yesterday he said people would be able ‘to stay overnight in self-contained accommodation’. He added that shared facilities must be kept clean and no more than two households can go away together at a time.
He said: “Provided that no more than two households stay together, people will be free to stay overnight in self-contained accommodation including hotels and bed and breakfasts, as well as campsites, as long as shared facilities are kept clean.”
Campsites and caravan parks in England will have to follow strict COVID guidelines to ensure the safety of both staff and customers. Guests will also have to respect social distancing measures.
Currently, there are different opening dates across England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, however campsites and caravan parks are expected to reopen across the UK this summer.
In England, tents are required to be pitched at least two metres away from each other and some facilities will remain closed.
Northern Ireland’s campsites, caravan parks and self-contained tourist accommodation can reopen from June 26th. The hospitality industry – restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars – will reopen on July 3rd.
Scotland’s campsites and caravan parks are scheduled to reopen on July 15th but this date could be reviewed.
And finally, in Wales, self-contained accommodation will be allowed from July 13th, subject to a final decision made on July 9th. Any accommodation that requires shared facilities such as toilets will remain closed.
The change comes into affect on July 4th in England, along with a pretty large list of other lockdown restrictions that will be lifted on the same date.
From July 4th, two separate households are permitted to meet up indoors. Boris explained that this means you can meet indoors with one set of grandparents one weekend, and another the next.
Unfortunately, you still can’t hug and you should continue to practise social distancing following the 1m+ guidance (or 2m if you can). You should also practise regular hand washing.
Boris Johnson also added that the government are relying on the public to use their ‘common sense’ regarding the guidance but simultaneously urged them to enjoy the new range of activities now on offer.
Customers at bars and restaurant will be expected to sign guest books with their names and contact details to allow them to be traced if they came into contact with someone infected at the restaurant.
On July 4th, gyms, nail bars, swimming pools, spas, indoor play areas will all remain closed, unfortunately.
Schools will be reopened for all in September, however, it remains that years reception, one and six are allowed to go to school in England fully.
Wedding receptions with up to 30 people will be allowed from July 4th as places of worship reopen. Unfortunately, your reception must follow the same rules followed by the hospitality industry such as pubs.
Trips to indoor hospitality venues should only be with one other household, making wedding receptions nearly impossible. This applies to baptisms, Bar Mitzvahs and any other ‘life cycle events’.
Non-essential overseas travel is still not advised by the Foreign Office and since June 8th, anyone returning to the UK must quarantine for 14 days.
Travel
Passport fees are rising tomorrow for second time in 14 months
Things are getting more expensive, again…
In bad news for holidaymakers, the cost of getting a new passport is set to rise once again.
The Home Office has confirmed that passport fees are set to rise by more than 7% from tomorrow, under new proposals.
This means the cost of online applications within the UK, for anyone aged 16 and over, will increase from £82.50 to £88.50.
Mikey / Flickr
Children under 16 will also see an increase in passport costs, with the price rising to £57.50 from £53.50.
Overseas and postal applications will also rise at a similar level, with postal increasing to £100 for adults and £69 for children, and an online overseas application rising to £101 for adults and £65.50 for children.
The new charges will officially be in place from tomorrow, Thursday April 11th.
Last year passport fees increased by around 9%, back in February 2023.
Ethan Wilkinson / Unsplash
The Home Office said in a statement: “The new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.
“The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.
“The increase will also help enable the Government to continue improving its services.”
Travel
Passport fees to rise within weeks as Home Office confirms new prices
Things are getting more expensive, again…
In bad news for holidaymakers, the cost of getting a new passport is set to rise once again.
The Home Office has confirmed that passport fees are set to rise by more than 7% next month, under new proposals.
This means the cost of online applications within the UK, for anyone aged 16 and over, will increase from £82.50 to £88.50.
Mikey / Flickr
Children under 16 will also see an increase in passport costs, with the price rising to £57.50 from £53.50.
Overseas and postal applications will also rise at a similar level, with postal increasing to £100 for adults and £69 for children, and an online overseas application rising to £101 for adults and £65.50 for children.
While the changes are still subject to parliamentary approval, if passed they will be in place from April 11th.
Last year passport fees increased by around 9%, back in February 2023.
Ethan Wilkinson / Unsplash
The Home Office said in a statement: “The new fees will help ensure that income from these applications better meets the cost of delivering passport and associated operations, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation.
“The Government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
“The fees contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders.
“The increase will also help enable the Government to continue improving its services.”
Travel
Wizz Air launch mystery holiday deal where you find out destination when you land
Enter the competition to win a ticket
If you’re dreaming of catching a jet plane to just about anywhere, well Wizz Air have launched a holiday deal where the mystery location isn’t revealed until you land.
The Hungarian airline will take a plane full of holiday hopefuls from London Gatwick for a four-day mystery getaway as part of its #LetsGetLostwithWIZZ campaign.
Those who win a ticket to the unknown location, will turn up to London Gatwick on March 7th to board a Wizz Air flight for ‘four days of fun, including cultural, culinary and adventure activities’ – it could turn out to be the trip of a lifetime!
To be in with a chance of winning a seat on the flight, UK residents can visit the Wizz Air’s Instagram page and follow the prompts on the Let’s Get Lost London pinned post.
“Entries close on February 22nd at 00.01am”, the low-cost airline says.
The lucky chosen ones will be able to bring a plus one on the trip and winners will be contacted via Instagram.
In a post shared to its official Instagram page, the airline put: “It’s time to get onboard our latest venture to the unknown with Let’s Get Lost London, departing from London Gatwick to…
“Do this by the 22nd February and you could be in with a chance of departing with us on an exciting flight to the unknown.
“The trip will take place between 7th – 10th March. Open to UK residents only, please make sure you’re following WIZZ on Instagram and that your profile is public.”
If you’re wondering whether you’ll need your bathing suit, suncream, hiking boots, rain coat or winter woollies, don’t worry, the 35 lucky winners will be told the climate to pack for a few days before the trip.
No other clues will be given away until touch down in the unknown destination.
UK Wizz Air Managing Director, Marion Geoffroy said: “We love connecting our passengers to new countries, allowing them to meet new people and try new experiences.
“Going on a flight to an unknown destination is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we are pleased to be able to offer this to lucky winners here in the UK.
“Let’s Get Lost is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to our British passengers and we hope to continue serving them as they travel the world and make new memories.”
Wizz Air flies to more than 70 destinations from the UK. Last year, the most popular destinations among Brits included Morocco, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Spain.
It is unclear whether the airline will jet the 35 lucky ticket holders and plus ones off to one of its more popular destination choices, or whether it will choose to take them somewhere a little more alternative and secluded.
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