The big holiday rule change in place from today

MORE travel restrictions are being eased today, following the scrapping of the pre-departure test.

Since Friday, Brits have been able to return to the UK without needing to have a Covid test to enter the country, provided they are vaccinated.

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The isolation rule - which required arrivals to isolate until they received their day two test result - has also been scrapped.

And from today, the day two test rules will change - and families will be able to save hundreds.

From 4am, Brits will be able to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test, with the former must cheaper.

While the NHS lateral flow tests can't be used for travel purposes, they cost around £22 from private medical firms - while PCRs at least £60 more.

The government website states: "If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, and you will arrive in England after 4am, Sunday 9 January, you can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England.

"If you qualify as fully vaccinated for travel to England, and you will arrive in England after 4am, Sunday 9 January, you can choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England."

However, while travellers don't have to isolate while they wait for their result, they will have to take a PCR test if it comes back positive.

The website continues: "If you take a lateral flow test and test positive, you will need to self-isolate and take a free PCR test."

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The free PCR tests can be used via the NHS.

These new rules don't apply to any arrivals who aren't vaccinated.

This is also different to the other rules in place in the UK from January 11, which no longer mandates a PCR test for anyone who tests positive with a lateral flow in the UK.

Instead, people in England can self-isolate for a week as long as they are negative on day six and seven.

Travel rules are also still in place for countries abroad - destinations such as Spain and Cyprus require a Covid test on arrival even if fully vaccinated.

And some are still banning Brits - France, Morocco and Hong Kong are all currently enforcing a travel ban on UK tourists and flights.

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