Coronavirus guidance
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The UK Government has confirmed that it will no longer be illegal to travel with effect from 17 May 2021.
As from Monday 17 May 2021, the Government will introduce it's Traffic Light System for travel. This will be regularly reviewed, with the next update due from the Government on or around 28 May 2021.
- Green: Passengers will not need to quarantine on return, but must take a pre-departure test, as well as a PCR test on return to the UK
- Amber: Travellers will need to quarantine for 10 days, as well as taking a pre-departure test and two PCR tests
- Red: Passengers will have to pay for a 10-day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, as well as a pre-departure test and two PCR tests
The information we provide below is for customers who are due to go on holiday from 17 May 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021
What does that mean for my holiday?
- Green: Holidays will go ahead as planned. You will need to ensure you comply with the Government requirements and those in place at your destination at the time you travel.
- Amber: Again, holidays will go ahead as planned. The requirement to quarantine on your return does not give you the right to cancel your holiday and receive a full refund. The actual holiday is not affected by this, therefore there is still a responsibility to pay the suppliers (accommodation, flights, etc.) for their services.
If you are unable to quarantine at home, then you may want to consider moving your holiday to a later date. We can certainly look at the options available to you, but you will need bear in mind that there may be costs to do this. These can include, but are not limited to:
- Differences in flight costs plus any admin fees charged by the airline
- Increases in accommodation costs – this can happen if the dates you select are in peak travel periods for example.
- If you are choosing a different villa, you may be charged cancellation fees on the original villa, plus any additional costs for the new accommodation.
For any customers who are due to travel up to 6 June 2021, we will waive the £75 admin fee. For any customers with holidays booked from 7 June 2021 onwards, you can of course look to change your booking, but the £75 admin fee will still apply.
You can read more about how you can amend your booking in our article HERE.
- Red: We will not be operating holidays that fall in destinations in the red category.
The Government said we "shouldn't travel to Amber destinations". Why are you still operating holidays on the Amber list?
Understandably, the Government are taking a cautious approach to coming out of lockdown and getting back to a level of normality. Whilst they may express caution on travelling overseas, they are clear that it will no longer be illegal to do so from 17 May. The traffic light system covers the requirements you need to take for coming back into the UK. It does not affect the delivery of the holiday. If your destination is open and there are no FCDO restrictions in place, then your holiday will go ahead as planned. You can of course choose not to travel, but this will be subject to the cancellation charges in your booking conditions.
What happens if there is Foreign Office advice against travel to my destination?
The traffic light system covers the requirements you need to take for coming back to the UK. The Foreign Office (FCDO) advice covers the requirements at your destination. In some cases, a destination may be on the Amber list under the traffic light system but also have advice against non-essential travel. If this is the case then you will be given the following options:
- A full refund of the monies you have paid. We aim to process refund requests within 14 days of receipt, however, please be aware that we are dealing with a huge number of enquiries, so please bear with us if it takes a few days longer.
- Accept a Refund Credit Note – you can use this to make part or full payment on any holiday departing before 31 December 2022
- Rebook to travel at a later date – Where this is possible, you will be responsible for any additional costs imposed by any of our suppliers.
Here's a link to the latest Travel Advice: FCDO Travel Advice
I am due to travel from 17 May to 6 June. What is happening with my holiday?
We are in the process of contacting all customers whose holiday is impacted by the current restrictions. We will be operating holidays to the below destinations:
- Portugal & Madeira - Holidays will operate as planned
- Rhodes, Zakynthos, Crete, Corfu (including Paxos) - Holidays will operate as planned
- The Canary Islands - Holidays will operate as planned with effect from 1 June 2021
If you are travelling to a destination not listed above, we will be contacting you to let you know your options. You do not need to take any action.
Please note, the above advice ONLY applies to holidays that are due to take place from 17 May 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021.
I am travelling on or after 7 June. What is happening with my holiday?
It is too early to say whether your holiday will be impacted. As part of the Government road map, they have set out key dates on when they will review their Traffic Light advice. These are due on or around 28 May, 18 June and 9 July. Similarly, FCDO advise is constantly monitored and can change at any time. This means that restrictions that are in place today may not be in place at the time you are due to travel. We therefore ask for your patience. We are currently dealing with customers who are due to travel up to and including 6 June 2021.
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The UK Government have produced a list of private providers of coronavirus testing, including those who are able to offer tests as part of the Test to Release scheme.
You can find the latest information here.
A number of UK airlines are also able to direct their passengers to test providers, so you should also check with the airline you are flying with. We have provided links to the most popular airlines below:
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We will not be operating holidays that fall under the “Red” category. Currently, this only applies to holidays we operate to Turkey.
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Your holiday will operate as planned. You will need to take an antigen (rapid flow) test before you return to the UK, complete a Passenger Locator Form, and then take two PCR tests when you get home. You’ll also be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days – unless you opt in to the Test to Release scheme. You’ll also need to check you comply with the entry requirements for your holiday destination. We have provided some links below:
FCDO Guidance on re-entry to the UK
FCDO Travel Advice for entry requirement at your destination
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Your holiday will operate as planned. You will need to take an antigen (rapid flow) test for re-entry into the UK and a PCR test once you’re home and complete a Passenger Locator Form. You’ll also need to check you comply with the entry requirements for your holiday destination. We have provided some links below:
FCDO Guidance on re-entry to the UK
FCDO Travel Advice for entry requirement at your destination
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There has been a lot of discussion about vaccine certificates and the possibility that some countries may require proof of a vaccination before travel. As it stands, no country has officially announced this requirement, so unfortunately, we’re unable to provide any certainty about travel requirements that haven’t yet been decided or announced. If this changes, we will provide updates in our Help Centre.
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If you are due to travel from 7 June 2021, then your arrangements are expected to go ahead as planned.
If you decide you want to amend your booking, for example, changing your travel dates or accommodation, we will charge an administration fee of £75. This is a set fee per booking, and not a charge per person. In addition to this you may also have to pay any additional costs or charges imposed by any of our suppliers. These charges can include (but are not limited to):
- Differences in flight costs plus any admin fees charged by the airline
- Increases in accommodation costs – this can happen if the dates you select are in peak travel periods for example.
- If you are choosing a different villa, you may be charged cancellation fees on the original villa, plus any additional costs for the new accommodation.
In all cases, amendments will be subject to availability. If we can meet your change requests, we will let you know what the additional costs are before you proceed with any amendments. You can then decide whether you want to proceed.
If your new arrangements result in a reduction of costs, we will refund you the difference, however, you will still need to pay the £75 administration fee.
If you would like to enquire about changing your arrangements, please send us a request by using the form found HERE. The person getting in contact should be the one who made the original booking.
If you decide that you would rather not travel, then cancellation costs will apply. You can find details of these costs HERE
Our phone lines are extremely busy at the moment so you may have to wait in a queue to speak to our Customer Support team. We therefore strongly recommend that you contact us by using the request form
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Do I have to pay my balance for my upcoming booking?
If you’re due to travel from 7 June 2021 onwards and we have contacted you to ask you to pay your balance, this is because we’re expecting your booking arrangements to go ahead as planned. If there is FCDO advice or travel restrictions in place nearer the time that impact your specific arrangements, we will contact you to discuss your options.
Unfortunately, we’re not able to defer any balance payments at this time. If you do choose not to travel or not to pay the balance of your holiday, this will be deemed as a cancellation and you will lose your deposit.
You can find out more about balance due dates by reading the article here
You can make your payment by going to Manage my Booking. If you have already set up an account, you can simply log in using your email and password. If you don’t have an account, click on the Bookings tab and use the lead passenger name and your holiday reference to access your details. You’ll then be able to make your secure payment.
If you would like to look at options to move your booking to a later date, then please send a message here.
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Government guidelines will vary from country to country, and will be different from those in the UK .
For the latest FCDO advice for your holiday destination visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
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You won't be entitled to any compensation, as the reason for the holiday not continuing is outside the control of James Villa Holidays.
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When you book with James Villa Holidays, rest assured that your holiday will be fully protected through our ATOL and ABTA bonding. Our ATOL protects all customers booking a holiday with flights (package), whilst our ABTA bonding protects customers booking a holiday without flights.
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Much like in the UK, many countries have adopted similar health and safety precautions. This means you will need to take face masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipes with you as you travel. Be sure to check the government guidelines of your holiday destination to ensure you have everything you need before departure.
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To ensure the villa is sanitised and cleaned in line with local guidance and hygiene requirements , it will take a little longer than normal to get the villa ready for your arrival. You will be able to check-in to your villa from 16:00pm, while checkout is at 10:00am.
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To help limit the amount of people entering your villa, we will only be cleaning properties between each party's stay. If you require additional cleaning services throughout your stay, contact the 24-hour holiday helpline to discuss.
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No, you will not receive a visit from a local representative. If you need advice or information while on holiday, please contact the 24-hour holiday helpline.
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None of our staff or suppliers will access your villa/apartment without your knowledge or consent. If you're staying at a property with a pool or garden, a maintenance person might be required to maintain the pool or tend to the garden.
Please be aware that people who are not travelling with you are not permitted to stay or visit you at the property.
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You will need to check your departure and arrival airports to ensure you are aware of their restrictions and practices in response to Covid-19.
Social distancing measures and other health and safety precautions might mean it takes longer than usual to make your way through the airport. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to get through security and board the plane.
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Check directly with your airline carrier for the most up-to-date information on what to expect at the airport and on the plane. Some airlines will require online check-ins, plus on-board services may be restricted. Full details will be listed on their website.
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Boat, ferry and hydrofoil crossings may require a face covering to protect you, the crew and other passengers during your journey. In some instances you may need to submit to a temperature check and/or complete a health declaration. Routes are running at a reduced capacity to help with social distancing, so allow yourself plenty of time to board the boat.
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Transfer drivers will be adhering to local requirements and guidelines to ensure the safety of their passengers. It is important to remember you will need to look after your own luggage, as the driver will not be able to handle your luggage or assist you in carrying it.
Still need help? Contact us