COVID-19 travel guidance

Latest Government Advice for Travellers

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Travel to some countries and territories is currently exempted.



This advice is being kept under constant review at the .gov website. Travel disruption is still possible and national control measures may be brought in with little notice.

We will update this information as updates become available. If you have any questions regarding a booking or enquiry with Waltham Travel, please get in touch.

Exemptions to the global advice against non-essential travel

On 4 July the governments travel advice changed, with exemptions for travelling to certain countries and territories that no longer pose a high risk for British travellers. View the list of exempted destinations. They continue to advise against non-essential international travel, except to countries and territories listed. They also currently advise against cruise ship travel.



The government are monitoring the international situation very closely and keeping their advice under constant review so that it reflects their latest assessment of risks to British people. They take a range of factors into account. For coronavirus, this includes the incidence rate and the resilience of healthcare provision in each country. Find out more about how the latest travel advice works.

Developments in the coronavirus pandemic remain uncertain around the world. No travel is risk-free. If you are planning travel abroad in the weeks and months ahead, even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, follow this checklist:

Before you travel

• follow the current guidance in the place where you live. See the guidance for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• keep up-to-date with the latest developments for your destination before your trip. Sign up for travel advice email alerts and check the TravelHealthPro website for travel health guidance
• find out about any entry restrictions, screening or quarantine requirements on arrival that might affect you. Check travel advice and contact the UK-based embassy of the country you’re travelling to if you need more information
• read the safer air travel guidance on sensible precautions and steps to take during travel. Consider your own circumstances and health, and remember you will need to wear a face covering on flights in England and Scotland. See also the NaTHNaC guidance
• check with your accommodation provider for information about availability and the safety measures they have put in place
• read the advice of local authorities and follow all local health measures in place during your journey and in your destination. Local measures and travel restrictions may change before you arrive or during your stay. Check the travel advice page for your destination and check with your transport provider for more information
• get travel insurance, and make sure you are content with the level of cover it provides. If you already have travel insurance check it is valid and provides appropriate cover
• check your cancellation rights. Speak to us if you have any questions.
  

When you’re abroad

• be prepared to comply with measures at your destination to manage a localised outbreak. If you test positive for coronavirus you are likely to need to get treatment locally and stay there until you have recovered. If you are required to quarantine or self-isolate by local authorities, you should expect to do so in the country. You may need to stay longer. Plan ahead for any delays to your return home and the financial implications or practical arrangements you may need to make
• continue to follow any updates to our travel advice for your destination.
  

When you return

• you will need to follow the rules for entering the UK. You must provide your journey and contact details up to 48 hours before you’re due to arrive in the UK
• you may have to self-isolate for the first 14 days you’re in the UK. See the guidance on self-isolation for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You may not have to self-isolate when you arrive from some countries and territories. See the travel corridors list for England, and the guidance for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
• see the list of people who are exempt from the English border rules
  

Consular Help

All government advice is published via Travel Advice on GOV.UK. Consular officers cannot provide any additional information by phone. Find more about the consular support they provide.

Returning to the UK because of coronavirus

If you’re currently travelling abroad and intend to return to the UK because of coronavirus, you should:

1. contact your airline or travel company now
2. keep up-to-date with the Government travel advice pages. Their advice on returning to the UK from each country is being updated as information becomes available
3. for real-time updates, follow the embassy or high commission’s social media for the country you’re in

Quarantine while you are abroad

If the local authority where you are proposes to quarantine you for your own protection, you should follow their advice.

If there are suspected cases of coronavirus where you are, you may need to remain in your hotel room or accommodation for 14 days, move to quarantine facilities, take tests for coronavirus and, if positive in some cases, be hospitalised abroad.

You should also contact your airline or travel company, and your insurance provider as soon as you can. We only organise assisted departure in exceptional circumstances.

Latest Health Advice

See the latest NHS guidance on coronavirus for the current situation in the UK and abroad, and the latest government guidance on coronavirus.

The NaTHNaC provides general advice on preparing for foreign travel and how everyone can reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.