Do I need a test just to come back to the UK now?
Update: 14th Jan. From Monday 18th January, anyone entering the UK (with a handful of exceptions) needs a recent, negative Covid test before they return. You need to take the 72 hours before you fly. Without it you may be denied boarding, and if you arrive without a valid test you can be fined £500.
For more information see the government website or our testing guide.
Is it still possible to go on holiday?
Update: 5th Jan. The whole of the UK is now in lockdown, and leaving home for a holiday is prohibited by the lockdown rules.
When will lockdown come to an end?
The next major government announcement in England about the route out of lockdown is scheduled for 22nd February, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the nation with a plan for next steps.
What happens then?
While it was thought until recently that England would go back into regional tiers, it's now thought more likely that after lockdown we'll return to national tiers. Overseas travel should therefore resume once the country is in a tier permitting it.
Can I travel overseas if it's not for a holiday?
Yes, leaving home for work (for example) is permitted during lockdown, including if that work takes you overseas. You should check the entry requirements of the country you're planning to visit before you set off. Some countries have closed their borders, some require a mandatory quarantine for all visitors and some just a negative Covid test, even for visitors considered essential. Check with the UK government's FCDO website for country-level entry requirements.
Isn't everywhere closed to UK visitors anyway?
Not at all! With the end of the Brexit transition period the UK is treated as a "third country" by much of the EU, which means their restrictions on visitors who might bring in Covid now apply. But - were it not for the UK's own lockdown - there are plenty of countries we could visit. At time of writing a number of countries, including Greece and Cyprus, are planning to reopen to vaccinated UK visitors as soon as it's safe to do so, and several othert countries admit anyone either with proof of a vaccine or a recent, negative PCR test.
I was overseas when lockdown was announced - do I need to come straight home?
There is no requirement in the new lockdown guidance to hurry back to the UK, though when you do get back you should head quickly and directly home. You should also check with your airline or travel company whether their flight schedule is still running as expected - they may ask you to come home on an earlier flight as the lockdown disrupts schedules.
Do I still need to fill out a passenger locator form?
Yes - You must complete the online form before you arrive in the UK, even if you’re arriving from a country on the travel corridors list. If you fail to do so you may be fined.
You should also ensure you fill out any passenger location forms for the country you are visiting before you leave.
Does travel insurance cover Covid-19?
Whether your travel insurance covers Covid-19 depends on your provider - we always recommend checking what is covered before taking out a new policy and then carefully reading your policy documents.
If you travel against FCDO guidelines regarding non-essential travel then most standard travel insurance policies will be invalidated. If you wish to travel against FCDO guidelines then you would need to purchase specialist travel insurance.
Get covered.