
During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns were implemented across the world, with the UK entering its second lockdown in November 2020. This brought about new rules and restrictions on travel, with many people having to cancel their trips and holidays. While some countries allowed their citizens to travel abroad, the UK prohibited all non-essential travel, including to second homes, and encouraged people to stay home. However, those who were already abroad were not required to return immediately and could finish their trips. Essential travel was still permitted for work, education, medical reasons, and outdoor exercise, but people were advised to stay local and avoid travelling outside their immediate area. These rules applied to both international and domestic travel, with hotels and holiday companies offering refunds, vouchers, or rebooking options.
What You'll Learn
Travelling to the UK from abroad
If you are a UK resident currently abroad, you are not required to return home immediately. You can continue your holiday and return home when you wish, but you must go straight home when you arrive at the UK airport.
However, some airlines are requiring travellers to fly home early and cancelling future flights, so you may be stranded if you don't return home now.
If you are travelling to the UK from abroad, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. You can quarantine at a location of your choice, but you must register that address on arrival.
If you are travelling to the UK from abroad, you should only do so if you have a reasonable excuse. This can include work, if you cannot work from home; volunteering; education; childcare; and other essential activities such as medical reasons or essential shopping.
Travelling anywhere must be essential, so this rules out holidays.
If you are travelling to the UK, you should only use public transport if it is absolutely necessary. You should walk or cycle where possible, and if you do need to use public transport, avoid busy times and routes.
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Travelling within the UK
There are a limited number of reasons for which you can leave your home and local area. These include, but are not limited to:
- Work, where you cannot work from home
- Education and caring responsibilities
- Visiting those in your support bubble or childcare bubble
- Medical appointments or visits
- Buying essential goods or services, locally wherever possible
- Outdoor exercise, locally wherever possible, but short journeys outside your local area are permitted if necessary (e.g. to access open space)
- Attending to the care of an animal or veterinary services
If you need to travel, you should walk or cycle where possible and plan your journey to avoid busy times and routes on public transport. You should also avoid car-sharing with anyone outside your household or support bubble.
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Travelling to Wales
As of March 2021, people in Wales did not have to 'stay local', as travel across the nation was permitted. However, travel between England and Wales was only allowed for essential journeys, such as for work, to provide care, or if your nearest grocery shop was over the border.
With the 'stay local' guidance in place in England, longer trips to Wales were not allowed unless you lived nearby.
As of May 2021, it was illegal to travel abroad from England until May 17. People were advised to 'stay local' where possible. From May 17, people were able to travel abroad, but only travellers returning from countries on the 'green list' would not need to quarantine upon their return to the UK. Those returning from countries on the 'amber list' would need to self-isolate for two weeks and take a test, and could do so at home. People returning from countries on the 'red list' would need to quarantine in a hotel at their own personal cost.
As of April 12, 2021, people living in many parts of the country were allowed to stay with members of their own household in holiday lets, hotels and hostels. Campsites and caravans also reopened to the general public. Rules on domestic travel eased further over the next month, as overnight stays with people from outside your household or support bubble were allowed again.
As of March 2021, the majority of Scotland was under strict lockdown rules. Under Scottish regulations, you must not travel between Scotland and England 'unless you have a reasonable excuse'. The Scottish government included work, education, healthcare and childcare among its list of 'reasonable excuses' to travel between England and Scotland.
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Travelling to a Tier 2 area from Tier 1
If you live in a Tier 1 area, you can travel to Tier 2 areas, but you must remain in your household, support bubble or follow the rule of 6. You should also follow Tier 2 rules while in a Tier 2 area.
In Tier 2 areas, you can only meet others outside your household while outdoors in groups no bigger than six, and you cannot stay overnight if it means being inside with people outside your household or support bubble. For example, staying with another family in a self-catering apartment or holiday cottage would not be allowed.
If you are in a Tier 2 area, you are also allowed to travel to hotels and holiday destinations within Tier 1 areas, but only within your household or support bubble.
People in Tier 1 or Tier 2 areas should avoid travelling to Tier 3 areas unless it's an essential journey, such as for work or education.
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Travelling to a Tier 2 area from abroad
If you are travelling to a Tier 2 area from abroad, you should be aware of the following rules and guidelines:
Firstly, it is important to note that the UK has a tiered system with different restrictions in place for each tier. The tiers are reviewed regularly, and the restrictions may change, so it is essential to stay updated with the latest government advice.
When entering the UK from abroad, you must follow the standard UK rules on quarantine. The quarantine period is typically 10 days, but it can be shortened to 5 days if you test negative for COVID-19. Your destination country may have its own rules and restrictions, such as a negative COVID-19 test within a specified timeframe before arrival.
If you are travelling to a Tier 2 area, you should be aware of the following restrictions:
- Socialising: You can meet in groups of up to six people, but only outdoors. Indoors, you may only socialise with people from your household or support bubble.
- Accommodation: Hotels and private accommodations are permitted to open, but you can only stay with people from your household or support bubble.
- Hospitality: Restaurants are allowed to open, providing they offer table service. Last orders are at 10 pm, and venues must close by 11 pm. Bars and pubs must remain closed unless they are operating as restaurants and serving alcohol alongside substantial meals. Food and drink can be sold after 10 pm via delivery, click-and-collect, or drive-through services.
- Attractions: Tourist attractions, cinemas, theatres, museums, and theme parks are allowed to reopen, provided they follow COVID-secure guidelines. An early closure time of 11 pm applies to these venues.
- Travel: If you are travelling to a Tier 2 area, you can continue to travel to venues or amenities that are open, but you should minimise the number of journeys you make.
Please note that these guidelines may change, and it is essential to follow the most up-to-date advice from the UK government.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, but only if you have a reasonable excuse. This can include work, education, childcare, volunteering, and other essential activities.
No, unless it is for essential reasons. This includes travelling to work, for education, to care for someone, to visit those in your support bubble, for medical appointments, to buy essential goods, and to spend time or exercise outdoors.
No, holidays are not allowed, including in the UK and abroad. This includes staying in a second home or caravan, if that is not your primary residence.