Travel advice regarding Covid-19
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice
Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advice is constantly under review, so that it reflects the latest assessment of risks to British people.
In response to coronavirus measures the government are advising against all and all but essential travel to some countries, cities and regions. You must check the travel advice to the country you are travelling to.
Once the government are aware of an incident that might significantly affect British people travelling or living in the area, they update travel advice as quickly as possible. They may update advice several times a day giving this is a fast-moving situation. Find out more about how travel advice works.
Before you go
Prepare for your travel
Follow the coronavirus specific checklist before you travel:
- Visit www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#history regularly as it is constantly updated given the evolving situation overseas
- Check travel advice for your destination regularly and sign-up to email alerts
- Make sure you can access money to cover emergencies and unexpected delays. Take more than one means of payment with you
- Be prepared to follow the advice of local authorities abroad. Be ready to comply with local isolation or quarantine requirements, and to rely on the local health system
- Read the details of your travel insurance carefully, and check that you are covered. Contact your insurer if you are uncertain
- Contact your airline, travel company, cruise line or other transport and accommodation providers to check for any coronavirus-related changes
- Make sure you have enough medication with you in case you are abroad longer than planned
- Decide if you, and those you may be travelling with, can manage logistical and financial disruption to your travel
- Arrange extra support for family members, dependants or pets who may need care if you are abroad longer than planned
If you are older, or if you have pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease), you are more likely to become severely ill if you catch the virus. Consider whether travel at this time is the right choice for you. Check the NHS guidance before you travel.
Get travel insurance
Make sure you have appropriate insurance for overseas travel, and purchase it as soon as you book your holiday. It’s your responsibility to make sure you’re covered. Read the guidance on purchasing insurance.
The government only advise against travel to a particular country when the risks to British nationals are unacceptably high. You should check the detail of your travel insurance to see what it covers, and contact your insurance provider if you have any questions.
If you are travelling with your family, and you have travel plans before or during the Easter holidays, make sure you have appropriate travel insurance. A family or group policy may be suitable.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published information on the travel insurance implications of coronavirus. Contact your travel insurance provider if you have further questions about your cover or would like reassurance.
Entry restrictions
Many countries and territories have introduced screening measures (temperature checks and health/travel questions) and entry restrictions at border crossings and transport hubs.
If you have recently been in a country affected by the virus you may need to be quarantined, or you may not be allowed to enter or travel through a third country.
Check the travel advice pages for all countries you are planning to visit or transit. For further information about entry requirements, contact the local immigration authorities or the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you’re travelling to.
Air travel
As governments and local authorities bring in measures to control the spread of the virus, some airlines are changing their schedules or suspending flights for some destinations. If you’re due to travel to an area affected by coronavirus, keep up-to-date with the latest information from your travel company or airline.
When you are abroad
If travel advice changes while you are abroad
If the government change FCO travel advice, they usually advise you to follow the advice of local authorities. Your safety and security is the responsibility of the local authority where you are.
If you are abroad when the travel advice changes, contact your airline or travel company, and your insurance provider as soon as you are able.
You should also keep checking the travel advice. If they advise people to leave a country they will say so. The government only organise assisted departure in exceptional circumstances.
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. When you are abroad, your safety and security is their responsibility.
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.
Consular help
If you require consular assistance, you can contact the government at any time by calling your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate. Read more about the consular support we can provide.
Source: www.gov.uk
