Half term holidays in Gibraltar have become even more attractive following the easing of travel restrictions – both for children and for return flights to the UK.
Children under 12 years are not required to take a COVID-19 test before travelling to Gibraltar – or under eight years if the child has been to a country or territory on the “Red List” in the 10 days preceding their arrival.
Travellers can also take advantage of the UK’s decision (applicable from earlier this month) to free vaccinated passengers from having to take a COVID-19 test when returning to the UK.
According to latest advice on the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel website, “Children travelling from a non-Red List country who are aged 12 or over but under the age of 17 who have received a single dose of the vaccine are also exempt from taking a pre-departure COVID-19 test. Proof of the child’s vaccination status must be uploaded on the Passenger Locator Form.
“Unvaccinated children aged between 12 and 18 must take a COVID-19 test before travelling. Proof of the child’s negative test result must be shown by an adult travelling with the child upon arrival in Gibraltar.”
Travelling on to Spain
For Gibraltar visitors planning a day visit (or longer stay) across the border, neighbouring Spain has also eased its rules for travelling children, along similar lines, as well as lifting its requirement for people to wear masks when outdoors.
The Spanish government said it had amended its health requirements for entry into Spain (with effect from last week) for travellers aged from 12 to 17 years from countries outside the European Union or the Schengen area (including the UK), “where access to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for this age group is difficult or not yet possible.
“Travellers between 12 and 17 years of age from these countries who do not have a valid vaccination certificate may present a NAAT molecular nucleic acid amplification test (RT-PCR or similar) for SARS-CoV-2 with a negative result, carried out 72 hours before arrival in our country. Likewise, children under 12 years of age, travelling with an adult, will not be subject to any type of health requirement, as was the case until now.”
British Airways “Enhancements”… and Family-Friendly EasyJet Initiatives
Two of the airlines operating at Gibraltar International Airport have announced special initiatives to improve customer services.
British Airways’ “enhancements” are aimed at reinforcing its commitment to placing sustainability at the heart of the customer journey. They include the introduction in the airline’s lounges of new plant-based menus, the removal of single-use plastic bottles (replaced with glass), the installation of new water stations, and a “reimagining” of the Skyflyers program for children.
Customers can continue to order food in British Airways lounges using their mobile device directly to their table, and a premium meal service will be re-introduced from March in Club Europe with new menus and more variety. There will also be new check-in zones exclusively for World Traveller Plus clients, and customers will benefit from an ongoing investment in technology, including a new bag tracing system.
Meanwhile, EasyJet’s family-friendly policies include priority boarding for passengers travelling with children under five years of age, and allowing up to two additional items to be brought on board at no additional cost. “If customers need these items to get to the gate,” says the airline, “such as a push-chair, these can be then placed in the cabin or hold when families arrive at the gate, free of charge.” More information is available here.
EasyJet has also teamed up with children’s weekly newspaper First News, to help parents keep young travellers entertained and engaged during holiday flights to Gibraltar.
Until 28 February all UK customers flying with EasyJet are being offered a free two-month digital subscription to the weekly newspaper. They can obtain access to the subscription via details in EasyJet’s digital inflight Traveller Magazine or on selected boarding cards, enabling them to download First News on personal devices before take-off.