The New Normal – in the shadow of Covid-19
This year so far has been truly extraordinary, and we have all had to make changes in our everyday lives. We have adjusted the way we shop, work, and socialise – and the way we go on holiday in the future will also be somewhat different. We would like to offer our assurance that we will do all we can to make your holiday experience as enjoyable as ever.
Whilst many things around your holiday may appear different as we look upon them cautiously, our overseas team report that life appears to have on the surface, returned to normal; just without any holidaymakers at the moment (and some people wearing a mask)! The skies are blue, the beaches are open, many restaurants and bars are operating and a feeling of normality is returning. There are of course restrictions in place and generally observed (as in the UK). Resorts have evaluated these to ensure as normal as an experience without exposure to risk. All the overseas teams are eagerly awaiting for your arrival and are ready to help you to have a great holiday, inconvenienced as little as possible by any restrictions. Our holiday destinations rely upon tourism for their livelihood, and all our owners and the locals are looking forward to welcoming you as always.
What to expect from your holiday this summer
Many of our regular customers may find some things a little different to what they have come to expect over many years of holidays with us. We have looked at all elements of the holiday to inform and reassure you about what to expect.
Parking
If you are driving to the airport, please note they may be operating a limited number of car parks. Please check your booking and follow the signs to the correct car park. If there is a bus transfer, be aware you will need to wear face coverings.
At the Airport
Pre-Departure
Make sure you have a suitable face covering, as this will be required at all times inside the airport.
To help reduce the risk of infection and to keep you and airport workers safe, they have introduced a number of additional measures. These are on top of the current guidance regarding social distancing, which passengers should maintain as far as possible throughout their journey.
You must keep your face covered throughout the terminal and will not be permitted to fly if your face is uncovered. If you do not have a suitable face covering, masks will be available to purchase inside the terminal.
Please clean your hands regularly. Additional hand sanitising stations have been installed throughout airports.
Some airports are trialling the use of temperature screening technology which you will see on the entry to security.
All have enhanced cleaning regimes in place throughout the airports – you may see these teams in operation.
All have installed protective screens at various locations throughout the terminal, including check-in desks and security.
Some airports are trialling the use of UV cleaning technology on some of their escalators to keep handrails as clean as possible.
At security
The rules on hand luggage have not changed, so please ensure any liquids are in containers of less than 100ml (including hand gel) and placed in a clear plastic bag before entering security. Laptops and tablets should also be outside your bag, along with hair dryers and straighteners.
Please keep your face covering on as you pass through security, although you may be asked to remove it if you are selected for an additional search.
Please bear with them if things take slightly longer at security as their teams adapt to new ways of working.
In the departure lounge
Please observe any signage regarding queueing systems which may be in place and maintain social distancing as far as possible. This includes the seating areas and in the toilets.
Most airport shops and restaurants are currently closed. While it is expected that they will be reopening again as we move into the summer period, please note there is currently limited availability of food and drink inside the terminals.
Getting to and from the aircraft
Where possible airports are trying to park aircraft at stands which are apart from each other to help maintain social distancing.
They are also trying to limit the number of flights which require a bus journey between the terminal and the aircraft. However, where this is not possible, they are keeping bus journeys as short as possible and limiting the number of people onboard. Please remember to keep your face covered in line with government advice on using public transport.
At Your Arrival Airport
There may be different procedures on arrival at your destination airport, where required by local governments. Please check with your airline for up to date information.
Your Flight
What precautions do airlines take on board?
All airlines have raised many of their procedures, beyond the protocols required by the authorities. For full information on how individual airlines are adapting please see their respective websites. You can access these from our flight information page here.
Many airlines are reviewing their on-board service, with much limited catering; ensure you stock up after security and before you board with any drinks and snacks you require.
Your Ferry
Many things will be different to normal, like checking in at least 90 minutes before departure. And important measures like wearing masks when in ports and onboard, regularly washing hands and being prepared for staggered embarkation and departure. Check with your individual ferry company for full details on their specific measures. Contact details on our ferry page here.
It is important to note that they have already applied these measures on services running essential freight throughout the period of the crisis, so are well practised and well prepared.
Eurotunnel
Terminal Buildings and Shuttles:
In line with regulations the terminal buildings have now had to close. There are toilet facilities available in the allocation lanes - please use them as the toilets on the shuttles are now closed. Customers are required not to leave their cars whilst onboard the shuttles to comply with social distancing advice from both governments.
Train - Eurostar
All passengers must wear a face mask at all stations and on board in line with guidelines announced by the UK and French governments.
Please ensure you have a mask with you when you travel. Any type of mask is suitable if it effectively covers your nose and mouth.
If you do not have a mask you may be refused travel on their services. Be advised that fines may be imposed by the authorities in France and the UK if you are not wearing a mask. Please note that children under the age of 11 are not required to wear a mask in France and UK.
New seating arrangements on board
There are some changes to the seating plan to make sure everybody has plenty of space on board. To ensure every other seat is left empty, some passengers may find their coach and seat number has changed. If your seat has been changed, you will get a yellow slip of paper as you go through the ticket gates at the station. Please take this slip with you and make sure you sit in your new seat to give everybody plenty of space.
Other train companies will have their own social distancing measures, and will require the wearing of a face covering, check with the individual rail operator for specific details.
Your Car Hire
All our car hire providers have put measures in place to help protect their staff and customers. They have enhanced their already robust cleaning techniques of vehicles after each rental, in particular paying special attention to the places people touch such as steering wheels, door handles and other hard surfaces.
Face level protection screens have been fitted to all branch counters. All delivery drivers and vehicle cleaners will wear gloves at all times.
For further, specific, up to date details on your car hire provider, please check their individual website.
Your Villa
Representation
Not all our houses have a local representative: in some areas the owner, caretaker or local agent will look after you. Whichever the case, you will always find that they are more than eager to share their knowledge. However, in the current situation, to minimise risks and to respect the concept of Social Distancing, the normal Vintage Travel practice of offering a face-to-face welcome visit to guests is currently suspended in favour of phone/video contact. They will of course remain available to you as always throughout your stay via your preferred means of communication e.g: Whatsapp, videocall, email or telephone.
On Arrival
If you are met by an owner or house manager, they will have been reminded to maintain social distancing. They would normally love to shake hands but will refrain for now!
As soon as you enter the house, we recommend removing your shoes at the door, and sanitising and washing your hands, to minimise potential contamination. You may also think of wiping down your suitcase handles.
Welcome packs: You may wish to wipe down packages and we recommend washing fruit or salad items prior to consuming.
During your stay
Cleaning
The safety and well-being of our guests, our property owners, their families, and colleagues is of the utmost importance to us, now more than ever. As restrictions on travelling start to relax, it is important to review our expectations around safety and cleanliness in response to Coronavirus.
While cleaning has always been a top priority when preparing for guests’ arrival, we are emphasising to property owners, managers, housekeepers, and cleaners that they must be especially mindful of the standards needed in this area. Specific guidelines have been provided to all concerned and, whilst there are some regional variations in local requirements, all our areas of operation have the following minimum criteria:
Follow government/local cleaning advice for non-healthcare environments
Before guest arrival, cleaning teams will thoroughly clean and disinfect the property following enhanced procedures and paying extra attention to ‘high touch’ areas. All bed linen will be thoroughly laundered and will be quarantined between use.
Have measures in place to allow guests to practise good hygiene throughout their stay.
Disinfectant, general cleaning supplies, hand sanitisers and soap will be made available, alongside other measures intended to reduce risk.
Villa Books
As a further precaution we have asked our villa owners to remove the ‘Villa Book’ from the property. However, we recognise that this is a valuable tool for our clients and as such we will send you an electronic version prior to your arrival at the property.
Arrival & Departure Times
We politely ask that all guests respect the arrival and departure times of their property in order to assist the cleaning teams and allow them to carry out their duties effectively.
If you or any of your party have suspected Covid-19 symptoms during your holiday;
Notices will be provided by Vintage Travel to put in all houses providing local telephone numbers and information on what a guest should do if they believe they have symptoms.
If the symptoms are such that a guest/s has real difficulty breathing, contact the relevant hotline provided. If it is an emergency and an ambulance is needed, call the medical emergency number (112 within Europe) and explain the symptoms.
No-one should go directly to a clinic/doctor prior to a telephone consultation. From that point on, the person concerned must follow any instruction given by the local authorities.
Support
You will always have a local contact for any needs during your holiday.
24 hr emergency cover – as always, you will be able to contact us in the event of any emergency.
Latest Local Information - for all areas
