Travel restrictions for the second National Lockdown in England
1 November 2020 · Written by Lulu Townsend · Travel & Lifestyle
5th November - 2nd December
People in England have to avoid all non-essential travel in the UK and abroad as part of a new month-long lockdown due to start on the 5th November.
This means foreign holidays and overnight stays anywhere in the UK are banned including visits to second homes.
Can I go on holiday?
No. You have to stay at home during the lockdown period and "there is no exemption for staying away from home on holiday - this includes staying in a second home" says the government.
This means that overnight stays anyway - apart from within a support bubble - are banned within the UK and abroad.
"People cannot travel internationally or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted exemptions", the government says.
I'm booked to go away before 5 November, what do I do?
England's lockdown begins on Thursday 5 November, so the rules begin from 12.01am that day.
You can fly out of the UK before then, but quarantine rules that are in place will apply when you arrive at your destination and when you come back if applicable. Airlines are currently operating normal flight schedules but these will be heavily reduced in November meaning travel plans will be disrupted.
If you’re already abroad
You don’t have to travel home before lockdown.
"Those currently on a domestic holiday will be allowed to finish their holidays, but are still subject to the requirements in England not to go out without a reasonable excuse," states the government guidance.
If you’re travelling home from abroad before 5 November you can travel back as normal as flights are operating as normal, but if you’re due to come home after the 5th November fewer flights will be operating so your plans will probably be disrupted. Quarantine will only apply if the country you are returning from is not on the UK travel corridor list.
If I can't go on holiday, will I get a refund?
Planes that were due to take off during this period will now likely be grounded as you will only be able to travel for work therefore it’s likely you’ll be able to get a refund if your flights are not running. Under European law, travellers who were due to travel into or out of England can get a refund within a week if their flights have been cancelled.
PLEASE NOTE that If your flights are still going ahead - for example British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair have said they will operate up to 30% capacity during lockdown - you have no legal right to a refund though some of these airlines will offer vouchers to be used at a later date instead.
How long will it take to get my money back?
All UK passengers are protected by European laws that entitle them to a full cash refund for flights and holidays that can't go ahead within 14 days. However since the coronavirus outbreak, travel firms have faced unprecedented demand for refunds and have taken several weeks or months to give people their money back so you may have to wait longer than two weeks.
Can I claim on travel insurance?
In short no, unless you have a policy that specifically covers COVID-related disruption, you can only claim back on travel insurance if you took it out or booked the trip before March 2020 - which was when the coronavirus pandemic became a "known event".
Will travel corridors continue?
According to government guidance: "Inbound international travel will continue to be governed by the travel corridor approach."
If you are arriving in England from a country it has a corridor with, you won’t have to self-isolate for 14 days just because the country is in lockdown. However if your destination is on the quarantine list, you can’t leave your home at all for those 14 days - even for the reasons permitted by the new measures.
How will this affect hotels, B&Bs, rentals etc?
"Hotels, hostels and other accommodation should only open for those who have to travel for work purposes and for a limited number of other exemptions which will be set out in law,"
The government hasn’t yet defined specific rules on holiday rentals, but it’s very likely they will have to close.
When will I be able to travel abroad again?
The prime minister has stated localised/regional restrictions in England - or the tiered system - will return on 2 December.
This means that many parts of England will be able to travel abroad again - but those in the highest risk areas will be strongly advised not to do so.
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