One word which we can certainly use to describe #2021 is again #unpredictable.
We've received another knock this week, which has the potential to affect our hopes of a summer holiday in #Malta.
The new Indian variant has hit our shores and is increasing in numbers.
Our PM Boris Johnson in his announcement on Friday stated, he believes this new variant to pose "a real risk of disruption"
With regard to international #travel and the green list of countries,
" Obviously we remain alive to any change in the data and we'll react accordingly. I think the same spirit of caution should apply to people thinking of travelling abroad."
"There is a very limited list (of green countries) as you know and we will make sure that people travelling abroad will be subject to all the tests and restraints that people would expect to prevent the virus from being reimported."
His next statement really left this glass half full lassie wondering if there will be any change to the green list of countries in the next Traffic Light Review by the Global Travel Taskforce at the end of the month.
"It's such a tiny list of countries and I don't expect we'll be adding to it very rapidly."
The other area of concern which we need to remain vigilant of is, if numbers of this new variant continue to increase, will Malta further restrict UK arrivals?
The islands were originally expected to open their doors to us #Brits from the 1st of June. Currently we remain on their amber list too.
Just to clarify what each countries amber restrictions actually mean,
Arrivals in Malta
Requirement to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate before boarding flights to Malta. The test should be carried out within 72 hours of travel.
From the 1st of June the Vaccine Passport or Digital Green Passport Certificate as it's also known as, should hopefully be accepted in lieu of a negative PCR test. (The last vaccine must have been given at least 14 days prior to arrival) For those who have only received one dose or are yet to be vaccinated, a negative PCR test will still apply.
The use of the Vaccine Passport still needs to be authorised by the EU and the Maltese authorities will announce further details in due course.
Arrivals back in the UK
A negative PCR or lateral flow test must be presented before boarding our flight back to the U.K.
We must self-isolate at home for 10 day
Two pre-booked PCR tests must be taken on days 2 and 8 of the isolation period. (There is also the option to reduce the isolation period by using the Test To Release scheme which can be taken after 5 full days of isolation.
So much still to consider, but as I have previously stated
"travel in 2021 will not be for the faint of heart!"
It will still be possible, but I do think we all need to have a "who dares wins" attitude to travel. I
If you see the opportunity to travel, grab it!
Returning back to the question in the title of this blog,
"will my travel insurance still be valid if Malta remains on the UK's amber list?"
The answer quite simply is a resounding NO.
If you only have a regular travel insurance policy, you won't be covered for your trip.
Whilst from the 17th of May #international #travel is no longer illegal, for countries placed into the Amber Traffic Light category, the Foreign Office advice is,
"You should not travel to amber list countries or territories for leisure purposes."
This doesn't mean that you can't travel, but this government advice is critical when it comes to your travel #insurance.
Most regular travel insurance policies will be invalidated if you choose to travel to a destination against Foreign Office advice.
All is far from lost though, which I actually know from experience.
Last year my friend and I faced this major hurdle with our holiday to #Malta in August.
It was the first time in our lives where we had a #holiday booked but, due to obstacles outside of our control, we didn’t know until a few days prior to travel that we would be able to go. 😱
However we truly didn't want to let our window of #opportunity to travel escape us and we were determined to make it work.
We encountered not only a change of departure/arrival #airport, but an additional change of dates, which in turn led to changes to our #accommodation plans, not once, but twice!
Then just as we thought we had everything finalised the #UK government closed the #travel corridor between the UK and Malta 😩 advising against all but essential travel.
In layman's terms this meant,
We had to #quarantine for 14 days on our return to the UK. (Again the same as the rules with Amber, although now 10 days instead of 14)
When the announcement was made, tour operators immediately cancelled all those travellers booked on package #holidays. 😪
We were lucky as we had dynamically packaged our trip as we always do, therefore our bookings were still intact. (Dynamically package means not booking a package holiday but booking flights and accommodation separate to each other.)
Julie and I have worked in the travel industry for decades and as we listened to the #news briefing, we were totally distraught 😢
The #quarantine requirement was not an issue for us, we could work with that, but the essential travel only part we felt was going to be insurmountable.
Why?
Well we wouldn’t be able to obtain travel #insurance for our trip, as we were now classed as "travelling against government advice"
Or could we................
#Determined and undeterred, I immersed myself into a few hours in-depth online #research.
Could there actually be a travel insurance company out there who would cover us for #COVID-19 medical cover and for travelling against government advice??
If there was, our trip could still be on!
With a #serendipitous fanfare of trumpets 🎺 enter Battleface!
As soon as I stumbled across the Battleface site, I knew I'd found the cover we needed!
After all my years in the travel industry I was #incredulous to discover that this type of cover existed. So much so, I had to check and double check that what I was reading was correct!
After a few phone calls and further extensive research, low and behold it was true, this company could provide us with the exact cover we needed 😀
Popping our details into the system I covered my eyes in trepidation as the page calculated the price.
Whoa, hold on a minute, really?
Surely that price couldn't be right? 😀 The Battleface quote came in just £5 more expensive than my regular pre-Covid provider. (There was also the option to waive the excess to zero for just a few pennies more!)
To obtain such a #specialised cover, I totally expected it to come with a huge price tag, but boy was I happily proved wrong!
A couple of clicks later and we were fully covered for our trip.
#Joy of absolute joys, Malta here we come! 🎉 🥂 🎉
Here are the #highlights of the cover Battleface provide!
Battleface provides lean, flexible travel insurance and services that suit the needs of today’s travelers going to unconventional or challenging places. This includes destinations under government “Do Not Travel” or “Essential Only” advisories.
Covid-19 medical expenses are covered if you are age 59 or under. (Regular medical expenses are covered up to the age of 79) This benefit does not include cover in relation to COVID-19 expenses for trip cancellations, curtailment of a holiday or lockdowns.
Customizable benefits include baggage cover, cancellation, business cover, medical treatment and evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains.
Every product includes 24/7 Emergency Travel, Crisis Response and Medical and Assistance services.
As plans can change quickly, you can buy battleface policies whilst already travelling 🤩
battleface products are provided by Tangiers Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the FCA and Tangiers Insurance Services LLC, a US licensed insurance producer. The details provided on this webpage are for information only. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Their website is super easy to #navigate, and their customer service is simply #wonderful, a UK head office with calls answered quickly, and above all really lovely, #friendly, and truly #knowledgeable staff. 👏 👏
Battleface are so awesome I've added them to my coveted Partner list!
You can also buy with complete peace of mind as they hold an excellent 5* Trustpilot score too 👏
Tried and tested, I genuinely cannot recommend this company enough and urge you to #explore their offering. (Further information can be found on my Partners page.)
PLUS! This policy will cover any of the countries on the Amber list not just Malta 😀
Until normality resumes, Battleface will remain our #saviour providing the peace of mind we all truly need when travelling against government advice in a global #pandemic.
Disclaimer
Before buying, I strongly recommend that you check the policy cover thoroughly to ensure it meets your needs.