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Teen testing costs deter half of parents from last-minute bookings

More than half of parents (53%) with teens say the costs of Covid tests for their children are preventing them from booking last-minute getaways.

The finding comes from a survey of 2,000 adults carried out behalf of travel insurance provider battleface to find out opinions on winter sports holidays.

From this week all travellers aged 12 years and over must take a PCR or lateral flow test before they travel to England from abroad.

Many other countries also require travellers to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours before arrival – or in the case of France – 24 hours before arrival for those who are not fully vaccinated.

Spain will not allow youngsters over 12 to enter the country if not fully vaccinated, while Italy and France demand that those not fully vaccinated take a test regularly in order to enter public spaces.

The battleface poll shows that almost half (47%) of UK adults with teenage children are unaware of specific requirements for their children, if they are travelling with fully vaccinated parents/guardians.

Katie Crowe, communications director at battleface, said: “The cost and complications of testing for holidays with teenagers this festive season is nothing short of a headache. “Parents need to be prepared for the costs and logistics of testing before departure, while away and on return to the UK.

“It is damaging that international governments haven’t managed to work together to align their Covid-19 regulations. Not only does every country have different travel restrictions and entry requirements, Spain is not even allowing those over 12 who are not fully vaccinated to enter.”

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