From Paphos to London And Back

Published 3rd of September, 2021

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At Border Patrol and Customs UK

Alex was surprised not to have to show documents here and just used the normal automatic gates, which makes sense as all proof and documents had been uploaded and checked online prior to arrival. Baggage claim was much the same as usual, so again it is up to you to maintain distance – many families did NOT heed the ‘only one person’ per party at the carousel.

It was a relief to leave the airport, collect the hire car and finally take off the mask some 9 hours after she left Paphos. The flight had been delayed, hence the length of time, and she changed her mask after approximately 4 hours as recommended.

Day 2 test

Alex had to visit The Oracle shopping centre in Reading for her PCR test and arrive at the appointment time, the process took 5 minutes and required showing her passport and booking confirmation. Later the same day she received a text message an email confirming the result was negative. Phew!

Returning To Paphos

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As she is double vaccinated there was no need for another covid test prior to departure from England. The Cyprus flight pass must be completed within 48 hours of travel. You can set up your account before then but will be unable to complete the form until the 48 hour window. Again, you will need your covpass and flight details to complete the form. Alex needed to make sure she input her ARC (MEU1) number here as that is the ID under which her vaccination took place in Cyprus.

Cyprus Flight Pass

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Most of the required information on your flight is in drop down menus and providing you go step by step, checking details are correct, it was VERY straightforward.

You do receive an email or can download the Cyprus Flight Pass from the website, please note adding other passengers happens after you submit the flightpass when there is an option shown under the download button. As the flightpass has a QR code it is easy to load onto a phone or you can print a hard copy.

At Heathrow

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At check in the flight pass was viewed but no other information was required beyond normal. Alex used the British Airways lounge, please note not all are open each day so check BA or Heathrow websites for details, where they have a new ordering system for food and drinks as well as social distancing and screens between seating. To order you scan the QR code at your table and put your name, you can order as many drinks and food items as you wish, and they are delivered by a waiter at the table. Alex had some yummy bacon rolls as it was breakfast time when she was there.

On The Plane Home

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Once on the aeroplane there were various announcements about staying seated as much as possible and always wearing a mask, apart from when drinking and eating.

Again, after landing passengers were asked to stay seated and disembarked a few rows at a time, into a bus for Paphos terminal. There were several people at the entrance to the terminal building who requested to see the Cyprus Flight Pass and Vaccination EUDCC pass before allowing anyone inside. At passport control Alex’s passport was checked and stamped, she did have her yellow slip but this was not looked at, she then collected her bags and met us outside the arrivals entrance. Home!

The most important things Alex took from the whole process were:

• Check the rules for travel carefully as they are changing all the time.

• Make sure you have a QR reader on your phone.

• The form filling can seem a pain but is actually quite straightforward, take it step by step.

• Keep all your documents together, better as hard copies if possible but on your phone works too. Just have everything in one place. It is easy to get flustered, if you need to open several different apps or can’t find one item, when you are in front of an official.

• It is your responsibility to protect yourself, and your travelling companions. The airports and airlines are doing all they can to make it safe, but it only takes one grumpy passenger to endanger others.

• Take a small bottle of hand sanitiser, remember the restrictions on maximum 100ml of liquid is still in place, and some baby wipes.

• Take a supply of face masks, you should change these after 4 hours maximum.

• Wash your hands well and often.

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