Hello, I'm Simon Calder, welcoming you to my independent travel podcast, bringing you the latest news on travelling, whether you're just dreaming of a great escape or actively on one, as I am in Orlando, Florida, in a busy hotel reception.

Today I'm going to be covering five myths to do with the new travel rules.

That's because British Airways has just told me to book a test for day two, which I am not going to do.

Of course, this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up for that at

independent.com.uk forward slash newsletters. British Airways greeted me this morning with a message saying

ahead of your flight 204 from Orlando to Heathrow, you must book a test for

day two. This must be a PCR test. Well, it made me think I am sure that that is not the case.

In fact, I know that's not the case and I wanted to talk about other issues because many people have got the wrong end of several sticks.

And I don't for one moment blame them.

There is so much misinformation put out, including by big airlines such as British Airways.

So what hope have we got?

Well, I hope I can actually read the rules interpret them and deliver

them to you but we shall see so you must take the arrival test on day two that is tosh

you can as i am planning to do take your arrival test as soon as you arrive.

This has huge benefits for public health in general,

because if there is any sign of the nasty Omicron or Omicron variant,

or indeed if you have inadvertently caught the classic version of COVID,

the Delta variant,

well, then it's much better to know that straight away

because then I can isolate.

It also has the benefit that I only need to isolate

for a minimum time when I get back.

...