This is the latest FCO travel advice for Croatia - and when UK travellers need to quarantine

Quarantine restrictions will be imposed on Croatia on 22 August (Photo: Shutterstock)Quarantine restrictions will be imposed on Croatia on 22 August (Photo: Shutterstock)
Quarantine restrictions will be imposed on Croatia on 22 August (Photo: Shutterstock)

Travel plans have faced significant disruption in recent weeks, following a rise in coronavirus cases across Europe.

Several popular holiday destinations have been affected, with Spain, France, Malta and The Netherlands, among others, all being removed from the UK government’s approved list of travel corridors in response to a spike in infections.

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But what is the latest travel advice for Croatia? Here’s what you need to know.

Is Croatia on the quarantine list?

Croatia has now been added to the UK’s list of countries with a 14-day quarantine restriction.

Travellers arriving in the UK from Croatia, along with Austria and Trinidad and Tobago, will now be required to self-isolate on their return.

Scotland has also removed Switzerland from the safe travel list, meaning travellers returning from this country will also have to self-isolate for a fortnight on their return.

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The decision was announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Thursday (20 August) evening, with the new quarantine rule to take effect from 4am on Saturday 22 August.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now advising against all but essential travel to Croatia, based on the current assessment of coronavirus risks.

Any countries that record more than 20 new cases per 100,000 population are added to the government’s watch list, with new infections in Croatia currently at 30.0 following an increase in recent weeks.

The country has only recorded just over 7,300 cases of coronavirus in total since the pandemic broke out, but new infections have climbed since the end of July.

What are the safety rules in Croatia?

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It is currently mandatory for people in Croatia to wear a face mask on public transport and in taxis, as well as in shops and other commercial premises.

While travellers do not currently have to self-isolate on their return to the UK from Croatia, you will still be asked to supply contact information on arrival.

This is to allow health officials to trace you in the event you have been in contact with someone who displays symptoms of, or tests positive, for coronavirus.

What happens if I’m already on holiday?

The FCO is not advising those who are already travelling in Croatia to leave at this time.

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Instead, travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to stay safe, including any measures that are introduced to try and control the virus.

Contact your travel operator if you have any questions about your return journey.

Travellers who return to the UK after 4am on 22 August date will have to self-isolate for 14 days on their return.

What if I have a holiday booked?

If you have a holiday booked to Croatia, it is possible that airlines will cancel flights and holidays in the wake of the country being removed from the list of approved travel corridors.

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Travellers should be able to claim a refund or credit note for their booking, while some airlines are allowing passengers to change the date of their holiday free of charge.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has said that travel insurance will remain valid for people who are already in quarantine countries until they return home. However, those who travel to countries against FCO advice will “likely” find that their insurance is invalid, the ABI added.

As for employees who have to go into quarantine, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said that no worker who is required to self-isolate should be penalised by their employer, including by being put on sick pay.