HITCHIN: Youngsters aged between the ages of 12 to 15 will now be granted Covid travel passes - making holidays easier for UK families.

With Luton Airport on our doorstep the good news comes just in time for families in our town to plan half term breaks.

From today, Monday, [January 24] teenagers will be able to download a digital Covid pass via the NHS app or the official website.

The changes will allow teens to avoid quarantine and self-testing rules when they land overseas - removing uncertainty, red tape and possible further costs.

Prior to the change, parents had to call NHS 119 or go online and request a letter before they could fly off to holiday hotspots such as Greece, Spain, Italy and France on the continent.

From next month, in a further boost to our beleaguered holiday industry, testing is also reportedly set to be dropped for vaccinated UK residents returning to the UK.

The changes will make life a lot easier for families planning to jet off during the February half term break.

France, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Austria and Cyprus all demand either proof of vaccination, a negative Covid test or evidence of recovery from the virus for children aged over 12.