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Greece entry rules
From today you will no longer have to take a pre-departure test to enter Greece from the UK if fully vaccinated. But you still could be required to have a rapid Covid test on arrival. Fully vaccinated means at least two doses of vaccine, except in the case of Johnson & Johnson for which one dose is required. Vaccination certificates are valid only for 270 days following the administration of the last dose of the primary vaccination.
However, visitors may have to take a rapid COVID-19 test on arrival. The bad news is that if you test positive, you will have to self-isolate for at least five days in a quarantine hotel, along with anyone you are travelling with.
Non-vaccinated arrivals from the age of five must still provide a negative PCR or lateral flow test.
Portugal entry rules change
Portugal has also dropped test requirements for fully vaccinated or recovered UK travellers. From 7 February, for mainland Portugal you will not need a negative COVID-19 test if you are fully vaccinated or have contracted COVID in the last 180 days and can show a recovery certificate. The same rules apply for vaccines as for Greece with the full initial dose of one or two vaccinations which must have been within 270 days or you will also need a booster.
Children over 12 that are not fully vaccinated or have a recovery certificate will have to produce a negative COVID-19 test.
You can find the full entry rules here on the official visit Portugal page.
There are different restrictions for Madeira and the Azores. There are no entry restrictions for Madeira, but visitors must register at madeirasafe.com. Over 12s arriving into the Azores must present an antigen test taken 48 hours before departure.
Bermuda streamline rules
You will also need to complete the Travellers Authorisation form 24-48 hours prior to arrival.
BA lounge change
Despite saying that they planned to keep table service that has been in use at BA’s main lounges during the pandemic, it appears that the help-yourself drinks have been reinstated at least in the Galleries First lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5. This includes the usual Canard Duchene champagne and a Rose Lanson. There’s a Mr. Lyan section for his cocktails too which is a nice addition. You can still order by app as well but personally, I welcome having both options.
Thanks to Joakim for the photos.
Have you been to Heathrow T5 Galleries Club recently? Did they have drinks available to pour yourself? Let us know in the comments below.
Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 3
Heathrow’s Terminal 3 could keep you occupied with all its lounges for a full day at this rate if you have a Platinum Amex card and are flying oneworld!
Currently, it already has the:
- Centurion Lounge
- BA Galleries Club Lounge
- Qantas Lounge
- Cathay First and Business Lounges
- No 1 lounge
- American Airlines Arrivals lounge
Heathrow Terminal 3 Club Aspire lounge will also reopen on the 18th February 2022 daily from 6am to 1pm. You can enter with Priority Pass or pay for a visit individually.
10 comments
I travelled through the Heathrow BA T5 Lounge last Tues and can confirm that food ordering remains via the table App – and was delivered to me in under 5 mins. You could help yourself to croissants etc and all drinks/coffee bars were open for self-service.
T5 Galleries Club was self pour when I was last there in November
Thanks.
T5 Galleries South Lounge was self pour drinks on Sunday 6th February
Also in Greece, at the moment, only fully-vaccinated and those recovering over the last three months are allowed to enter restaurants and entertainment establishments, while there will only be seated customers with maximum of six at a table, with avoidance of crowding and proper distancing between tables and chairs.
T5 Galleries is self pour and you cannot order drinks for the app. The app directs you to help yourself. Food remains only available via the app.
Slow to replace empty bottles but all alcohol was self serve including champagne in the club class T5
On the 30/01 all drinks were self serve. I was pleasantly surprised to see champagne included in self serve as previously to Covid it was served on request only (now Prosecco is being offered too). I like to see food being available by the app only.
Good to see Champagne is back. It disappeared late last year due to supply issues.
Any airline that runs out of champagne just isn’t trying hard enough. But then when they take two hours to answer the phone and two months plus to make a refund… ????????♂️ They’ve only had two years to sort their shit.
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