London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026

20,000 Brits battling for refunds as Britain puts Italy on the quarantine list

20,000 Brits battling for refunds as Britain puts Italy on the quarantine list

TWENTY thousand angry Brits are battling for refunds after scrapping half-term holidays to 23C Italy – as the country was put on the quarantine list from tonight.

And an Italian job getaway is seeing 10,000 Brits in Italy hit by trebled flight prices as they dash back to the UK before 4am tonight to avoid a two-week self-isolation.British Airways flights from Rome to London cost £276 today but £84 next Saturday.


Nearly 20,000 Brits are demanding refunds after scrapping half-term holidays to Italy as they will face a fourteen-day-quarantine


Sarah Crutchley tweeted: “BA, I'd like a refund for a flight to Italy now its on the quarantine list.” Anna Cusano said: “I'd planned to go to Italy for half-term. It's really disappointing.”

Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “Holidaymakers with trips to Italy booked face the stress of trying to claw money back from airlines and travel providers.”

Rellis tweeted: “I’m in Italy and have a flight back on Sunday. I have a new job starting next week so can’t quarantine for 14 days – but how can I get home before 4am Sunday?”

Frankie Onoroise wrote: “I have to go back to work when I'm back from Italy. Who will pay my bills while I quarantine?”

Families are going Greek for half-term instead – with a 1,000 per cent surge in searches for holidays after almost all of Greece's islands were put back on the safe list, Travelsupermarket said.

Bargain week-long holidays cost from just £228 per person with TUI. Travelsupermarket's Emma Coulthurst said: “Brits want sun so are opting for Greece.”

It will be the last overseas holiday until next summer for most, with Europe's ski season up in the air and set to run at much-reduced capacity. UK half-term staycations are being hit by a rash of cancellations, hammering the crisis-hit UK tourism industry.

New tier rules ban millions from taking breaks in higher-tier areas – and overnight trips with family or friends who live in separate households. The Government said: “People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident in a ‘very high’ area – and avoid staying overnight in a ‘very high’ area if they are resident elsewhere.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
UK Prime Minister Urges Continued Focus on Ukraine Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
UK Introduces New Safeguards to Shield Lenders from Bank Run Risks
UK Promotional Products Market Surpasses £1.3 Billion as Demand Strengthens in 2025
Reeves Pushes for Deeper UK-EU Economic Ties to Revive Growth
UK Security Adviser Saw No Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat Days Before War Erupted
France Signals Warm Welcome for UK Return to EU Single Market Amid Renewed Cooperation Talks
UK Defence Official Criticises Boeing Over Delays to E-7 Wedgetail Programme
UK Urged to Secure Quantum Talent as Minister Warns Against Repeating AI Setbacks
UK Mayors Set to Gain New Spending Powers Under Reeves’ Fiscal Devolution Plan
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
AI-Generated Singer Becomes Viral Voice for Iranians With New Anthem
London Private Club Founder Plans Exclusive Palm Beach Venue Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Hundreds Gather in London Despite Ban on Annual Pro-Palestinian March
Two Dead and Multiple Students Seriously Ill After Invasive Meningitis Outbreak at UK University
UK Considers Deploying Ships and Mine-Hunting Drones to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Visit Draws Mixed Reaction From Local Communities
Trump Calls on France and UK to Help Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Boris Johnson Labels Bitcoin a ‘Ponzi Scheme’, Sparking Debate in Crypto World
UK Considers Targeted Aid for Vulnerable Households as Energy Costs Rise
Stellantis Urges Immediate Review of UK Electric Vehicle Sales Targets
Home Office Reverses Course to Allow Some Dual Nationals to Enter UK Using EU Passports
Reform UK Proposes Replacing Top Civil Servants With Officials Aligned to Government Agenda
Netflix Adds Critically Acclaimed ‘Best Film of 2025’ With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
‘The Sums Don’t Add Up’: UK Farmers Hit by Soaring Costs as Iran War Disrupts Global Supplies
Confidential UK Biobank Health Records Found Online After Researchers Accidentally Expose Data
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
×