UK Covid travel ban: Holidays abroad outlawed by second lockdown

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England faces a fresh round of holiday chaos this week ahead of strict new winter lockdown rules which will outlaw winter getaways.

The new rules, which will see both international travel and travel inside the UK banned for a month, have sparked a stampede of people rushing to the departure gates before they are slammed shut to all but a handful of travellers

Thousands of face-mask wearing holidaymakers were today seen queuing for flights at Heathrow Airport today ahead of the new rules on Thursday – with one industry expert today saying he expected a ‘flurry’ of late bookings until then.

Other holiday hopefuls have today been left in a panic over the future of their upcoming getaways, which are now set to be cancelled.

Top tour and flight operators have today revealed plans to cut huge swathes of flights due to the new rules – with some already announcing plans to offer full cash refunds to customers.

Other top travel industry chiefs have called for more support to help the struggling tourism trade – which faced similar restrictions back in March.

Meanwhile Nicola Sturgeon has urged people not to cross the border when the rules are introduced – amid fears holidaymakers could attempt to subvert England’s rules by catching flights from Scotland or Wales. 

It comes after Boris Johnson last night announced plans to plunge England into a new lockdown.

The new rules, which ban all outbound international travel, apart from in exceptional circumstances, are set to be introduced as of Thursday.

Travel from England to other parts of the UK – apart from for work – will also be banned as part of the new rules, which are set to last until December 2.  

The travel ban, which is similar to measures imposed in March, comes just weeks after the government added popular winter holiday hot-spots, the Maldives and the Canaries, to the coronavirus safe list. 

It comes as in other coronavirus developments:  

• Michael Gove reveals four-week November shutdown could be extended if it fails to tackle Covid second wave – and warns that without Boris Johnson’s move the NHS would be ‘full’ by next month;
• Boris Johnson brings in the Army to help roll out ‘rapid turnaround’ tests for Covid for ‘whole cities within days’;
• Oxford experts Dr Tom Jefferson and Professor Carl Heneghan reveal the blueprint they have handed to Boris Johnson to help him beat Covid-19 pandemic;
• The Tory party faces a civil war as anti-lockdown ‘redwall’ MPs accuse PM of being ‘bounced’ into shutdown and threaten to vote against move in Commons vote on Wednesday;
• Nicola Sturgeon urges Scots to avoid travelling to England unless for ‘essential purposes’ 

TUI, the world’s largest travel and tourism company, has today revealed its customers will be offered refund for holidays dashed by the new lockdown laws, while easyJet chiefs today called for support for the travel industry.

In a statement, a spokesperson for TUI said: ‘Following the recent announcement about additional restrictions in England from 00:01 on Thursday 5 November all TUI holidays between Sunday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 4 are currently due to operate as planned.

‘Customers due to travel before Thursday are able to amend their holiday to a later date for free.

‘We understand that holidays abroad (for those living in England) are unable to take place from 00:01 on Thursday, November 5.

‘As soon as we have more information we will be updating customers as soon as we can.

‘If holidays are unable to take place, customers will be notified and offered the option to amend with an incentive, receive an ATOL-protected refund credit note with a re-booking incentive, or cancel and receive a full cash refund within 14 days.

‘Customers currently on holiday can continue to enjoy their holiday as planned.’ 

Jet2 also said it was planning to continue as normal between now and the lockdown deadline.

A spokesperson said: ‘We are planning to operate as normal between now and Wednesday, November 4, so customers wanting to get away from the cold and gloom can still book and travel as normal.

‘For customers due to depart up to and including Wednesday, November 4, and who do not wish to travel, they can amend their booking to a later date with no admin fee.

‘If flights or holidays are affected by any changes, we will contact customers to advise them of their options. Customers in resort should continue to enjoy their holidays as planned.

‘Our contact centre is receiving a high volume of enquiries at the moment, so we remind customers that they do not need to contact us. We will be in touch with any updates.

‘We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.’

Today, a Virgin Atlantic spokesperson added: ‘We continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation very carefully, including the latest guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), as well as any new entry or quarantine restrictions implemented by the countries we fly to.

‘We’re aware of the latest guidance issued by UK government, that from 5th November, UK nationals should avoid all non-essential travel.

‘We are currently evaluating what this means for our customers and flying programme.

‘At present, our schedule remains as published on our website, however our teams will be in contact with any customers whose travel may be affected, to discuss their options.’ 

As part of the lockdown plans, travellers who are already on holiday, or leave before Thursday, are not required to return from their trips early, it has been announced.

That has led to a ‘flurry’ of holiday hopefuls rushing to bring forward their booking before Thursday’s shutdown, one travel expert said.

Others have booked late holiday deals ahead of Thursday’s rule  changes, while others have booked flights out of England to avoid the month of lockdown all together, according to Paul Charles – who has more than 25 years experience in travel.

Mr Charles, who runs the PC Agency, said: ‘There will certainly be a flurry of bookings for travel before Wednesday evening.

‘You can understand why some people will want to get away if they have that flexibility.’

Mr Charles, a former PR director for businessman Sir Richard Branson, said that popular winter destinations include the Maldives, which was recently added to the no-quarantine list, and the Caribbean.

He added that latest travel ban, which follows a similar travel ban earlier this year, would be another blow on an already struggling industry.

But Mr Charles said there was light at the end of the tunnel for the tourism trade, adding that the government were set to have a meeting with the Global Travel Task Force later this month, that could push plans for a ‘Test and Release’ system a step closer.

Such a system, which would allow a short period of isolation before a test, which, if negative, would allow the person to be released.

Ahead of Thursday’s lockdown, it was today announced airports and train stations will stay open, with travel allowed for those leaving the country for work, education and exceptional circumstances. 

British Airways told MailOnline today that its bosses were ‘assessing the new information’ and would keep customers informed.

Meanwhile, easyJet has promised to operate its planned schedule until Thursday, but warned that ‘much of the UK schedule will be cancelled over lockdown’.

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, also called for more support for the industry.

In a statement, he told MailOnline: ‘Given the steps the Government has taken, which essentially prevents air travel in the UK, our call for sector specific support has never been more urgent.

‘The government has recognised the need to directly support the hospitality sector, where decisions have directly affected its ability to trade.

‘The same principle needs to be applied to aviation.

‘The government’s own statistics show that activity in aviation is already 90 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels, yet to date the government has still failed to provide any sector specific support.

‘A government financial support package for UK aviation companies must be provided now.’  

‘A government financial support package for UK aviation companies must be provided now.’ 

However, holiday firms and airlines are unlikely to refund customers unless advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) changes – possibly leaving thousands out-of-pocket.

Travel Editor of consumer group Which? said millions of travellers were already battling to get refunds from cancelled holidays during the last lockdown in March.

But he also warned the government must offer ‘urgent support’ to the travel industry if it is to ‘survive the winter’.

Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: ‘Millions of people were left struggling to get refunds for cancelled flights and holidays when the government banned international travel back in March.

‘Many still haven’t been refunded. As travel restrictions are re-introduced in England, the government and regulator must do a better job of ensuring customers aren’t again left to bail out companies through refunds being unlawfully withheld. 

‘The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the travel industry, and urgent support is needed if it is to survive the winter. 

‘We are urging the government to introduce a travel guarantee fund to ensure travel companies who are ordinarily in good financial health can meet their obligations to customers.’

Package holiday firms are supposed to refund customers if you are unable to travel, according to ABTA.

However, some holiday firms have previously refused to refund customers where flights to destinations still go ahead. 

Meanwhile, the government also appears to be sticking with its travel corridor scheme.

This means people returning from countries on the ‘safe’ list will not have to quarantine on their arrival back in the UK – though they will be subject to the new lockdown laws.

It comes as holidaymakers arriving back in the UK from the Canaries, Maldives, Mykonos and Denmark were told last week that they will no longer need to quarantine, as the four areas have all been added to the list of air corridors.

Prices soared as passengers rushed to book flights after the announcement. But yesterday it was also reported that prices on holidays to the Canary Islands have dropped by a third, as companies look to tempt costumers for some winter sun.

However that will likely change again following yesterday’s travel ban.

Meanwhile, today, Heathrow Airport was packed out with passengers catching flights out of the UK.

Ash Kemp told how he had already been looking forward to a dream trip in The Algarve region of Portugal, but in light of Boris Johnson’s shock announcement yesterday, he felt the flight could not come soon enough.

The 47-year-old, who worked in human resources, said: ‘We just about made it before the restrictions. It is somewhat lucky. People were telling me yesterday they were jealous.

‘I will not quite believe it until I get there and we are by the pool, but if we do make it it will be quite amazing.’

Michael Gardner, an antiques specialist, told how he had brought his flight back to his home in Switzerland forward by a couple of days in anticipation of the coming lockdown.

The 57-year-old said: ‘I would come back, I have got a daughter who is studying here, but it depends on what I am able to do. There is no point in coming back if I cannot see my daughter and cannot do business, so I have to see.

‘I do not know what this lockdown is going to be like, if it is going to be like in March or something else.’

Justin Zhu had booked a new flight three days ago for his 24-year-old girlfriend Hanna Ji once he heard about new restrictions, but clarified that the new restrictions were imposed by Germany, where she was travelling to.

The 32-year-old said: ‘After today, all the flights are cancelled from BA to Germany. They cancelled the rest until next month. I had to book a flight really quickly.

‘I am not really worried about getting on a flight, I am going back to China on November 17.

‘It is already planned, but to go to China I have to book a test, pass the antibody test, it is a two-test certification. I think the flight will be fine, I just worry about the test capacity.

‘My flight is on a Tuesday and all the private hospitals are closed on a Sunday, but I need to get a test 48 hours before my flight.’

Others have not been so lucky in making it out of the country in time.

One healthcare worker said his plan to see his pregnant girlfriend in Canada has now been scrapped due to the lockdown.

Hish Aslam, a healthcare worker, told MailOnline: ‘I’m just so confused I don’t know what to do.

‘My wife is a Canadian citizen she’s five months pregnant and needs my support right now whilst she is studying in these difficult times, and I had a private scan booked so I could finally be there with her during a scan. 

‘I work for the ambulance service, NHS 999 emergency services as a Emergency Medical dispatcher. We work long 12 hour shifts daily and non stop during this pandemic.

‘I work hard to make money so I can go see my wife and be with her for a short period after so long.

‘I had everything ready and packed for my flight, my flight was on November 7 and now I’m reading everywhere that international travel is banned.’

He added: ‘I’m devastated, my booked annual leave will go to waste but must importantly I can’t be there for my wife this whole month. I’m just really sad.

‘I wish they would make it clear on the rules on who can still go, as they might be trying to save lives I get that, but as a proud NHS employee who lives to save lives I feel like mine is getting ruined.’

Today, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said there would be ‘no exemption’ for going on holiday.

A spokesperson said: ‘From Thursday there is no exemption for staying away from home on holiday.

‘This means people cannot travel internationally or within the UK, unless for work, education or other legally permitted exemptions.

‘Overnight stays away from primary residences will not be allowed, except for specific exceptions including for work.

‘In terms of those Britons currently abroad inbound international travel will continue to be governed by the travel corridor approach.

‘Separately, 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.’

The new restrictions are for England, with devolved powers in Scotland and Wales set to assess their own situation and apply their own rules. 

But the FCDO say that holidaymakers won’t be able to subvert travel rules by flying out from Scotland and Wales – as ‘travel within the UK is banned, unless for work, education or other legally permitted exemptions’. 

It also means residents in Wales, who are under a ‘fire breaker’ lockdown until November 9, while not be able to fly from English airports during the national lockdown period.

Yesterday, as part of her comments about the national lockdown in England, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged residents in both countries not to cross the border.

Scotland will introduce its own ‘Tier System’ from tomorrow, but will not be subject to the same restrictions as England.

Speaking after the announcement, Ms Sturgeon said: ‘Following the announcement by the Prime Minister we are also asking that people do not travel to England, or from England into Scotland unless absolutely essential, just as we are also asking people not to go to Northern Ireland or to Wales.’  

A Welsh Government spokesperson added: ‘People living in England should follow the rules set out by the UK Government for the month-long lockdown period, including any restrictions on travel.

‘The Welsh Government’s Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the new set of national measures which will be put in place to keep people safe and control the spread of coronavirus when the firebreak period ends in Wales on November 9.’ 

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the FCDO warned that ‘no travel is risk free’, but added that the department was ‘always reviewing its travel advice’.

The latest change in travel rules comes after last month it was revealed Britons living under Tier Three lockdown would not get refunds for holidays and flights they were due to take – but could be allowed to switch dates at no extra cost.

The restrictions earmarked for Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire and South Yorkshire ban all non-essential travel outside the affected region. 

In Wales, households are currently banned from non-essential travel under the country’s 17-day ‘fire breaker’ lockdown.

The rules mean eagerly-awaited holidays for those living under Tier Three will have to be cancelled or postponed- with Britain’s most-popular airlines offering different rules to customers. 

Jet2 is allowing customers planning on travelling up to or on November 30 to amend the date of their booking without an added change fee. 

A Jet2holidays spokesperson said:’If a customer is directly impacted by restrictions caused by a local lockdown and is due to travel up to and including 30 November they can rebook their flight or holiday without having to pay an amendment fee.

‘As always, we advise customers to make sure they purchase appropriate travel insurance before they travel.’

Alongside free flight changes, British Airways is allowing customers the option to take a credit voucher – worth the cost of their flight – for future travel.

Customers can apply for their voucher any time before their outbound flight.

easyJet is offering flight changes with no fee for the next 14 days.

A spokesperson said: ‘We understand that some customers may need to alter their plans where local lockdown measures are preventing travel. 

‘Impacted customers flying within the next 14 days are able to change their flights without a change fee via our contact centre, seven days from the announcement date.

‘All other customers can make changes to their booking without incurring a change fee up to 14 days before departure online via Manage Bookings at easyJet.com.

‘Should any flights be cancelled customers are notified and informed of their options which include transferring to an alternative flight free of charge, receiving a voucher or applying for a refund via a webform on our dedicated Covid Help Hub at easyJet.com.’

Tui is offering amendments to any holiday currently on sale – with no fee incurred. 

A spokesperson said: ‘We understand that there’s still a lot of uncertainty about travel plans this year, so we’re being as flexible as we can.

‘Any customers who cannot travel on their holiday as planned due to tier 3 lockdown restrictions, have the option to amend to any holiday currently on sale, free of amendment fees.’

Virgin Atlantic is offering the same free date change option.

The airline is also offering up to two changes of passenger names along with dates with no fees for bookings up to December 31 and due to travel by August 2021.

A spokesperson said: ‘Virgin Atlantic understands the difficulties that the Covid-19 crisis poses to our customers with upcoming travel plans, and we are offering as much flexibility as possible for those whose trips are affected.

‘We’re helping all customers with upcoming travel plans to rebook on an alternative date free-of-charge, with the option to change their destination, all the way until 31 December 2022.

‘For all bookings ticketed up to Dec 31 2020 and due to travel by Aug 31, 2021, customers may also rebook with the date and names change fee waived, for a new travel date up until December 31, 2022 (including open ticket policy).’ 

What you CAN and CAN’T do under new lockdown: You can only go abroad for work, pubs, shops, restaurants, hairdressers and leisure centres will all close – but construction sites and schools stay OPEN

A new national lockdown across England means people must stay at home unless for specific reasons, such as attending school or college, or going to the supermarket.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the new measures at a Downing Street press conference on Saturday. 

He said the measures were necessary to avert bleak predictions of 85,000 deaths this winter. 

Below, MailOnline outlines the key details of the new restrictions, which will see pubs, bars and restaurants forced to close once again. 

When do the new rules come into force?

The new national lockdown will run from Thursday November 5 until Wednesday December 2.

The lockdown will then be eased on a regional basis according to the latest coronavirus case data at that time.

Can I leave my home?

Yes but only for specific reasons such as education, work if you cannot work from home and for exercise, which you can take as many times a day as you wish.

Construction sites or manufacturing facilities are examples of workplaces which employees will still need to go to.  

People can also leave home for recreation with their own household, or on their own with one person from another household (a ‘one plus one’ rule).

Examples of recreation include meeting up with a friend in the park for a walk or to sit on a bench and eat a sandwich.   

People will not be allowed to meet in homes and gardens, and golf clubs will remain shut.

People can also leave home to shop for food and essentials and to provide care for vulnerable people or as a volunteer.

Attending medical appointments is also allowed or to escape injury or harm (such as for people suffering domestic abuse).

Support bubbles will remain in place and people can still meet up in their bubble.

Children can move between the homes of their parents if their parents are separated.

What will close?

Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed.

Click and collect can continue and essential shops such as supermarkets will remain open.

Bars, pubs and restaurants must stay closed except for delivery or take-away services.

Hairdressers and beauty salons will close.

Can I go on holiday?

No, you are advised not to travel unless for essential reasons. People can travel for work.

Those who are already on holiday will be able to return to the UK and airports and train stations will remain open. 

What if I’m already abroad?

Travellers are not required to return from their trips early.

Airlines are responsible under consumer law to bring travellers home, but flight schedules will be slashed in response to the drop in demand, meaning many people will be forced to change their travel dates.

What if I shielded last time?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said people over 60 and those who are clinically vulnerable are being told to be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise their contact with others.

Anyone who was formally notified that they should shield last time and not go out to work will be advised not to go out to work this time.

However, formal shielding as happened during the March and April lockdown – where people were told not to leave home for any reason – will not be brought in.

Should my children go to school or to the childminder? Can they go to a playground?

Yes, schools, colleges and universities will all remain open.

Childminders and nurseries will stay open and childcare bubbles, where for example a grandparent provides childcare while a parent works, will be able to continue.

After-school clubs and sports clubs will be suspended until December 2.

Playgrounds and parks will remain open.

 

I thought we could go to the Canary Islands?

It is less than two weeks since the Government removed the quarantine requirement for people returning from the Spanish islands.

This led to airlines putting on extra flights to cope with the surge in bookings.

Will travel corridors continue?

The Prime Minister did not mention travel corridors in his Saturday night press conference, meaning people arriving from some areas are likely to continue being exempt from quarantine.

But the lockdown means the number of travellers will be diminished anyway.

Will I get my money back if I’ve booked a holiday I can no longer go on?

If your flight is still going ahead and nothing has changed in your destination, you are not automatically entitled to a refund.

But many aircraft are likely to be grounded from Thursday due to the new restrictions, meaning people with existing bookings will be due a refund.

If I am entitled to a refund, how quickly will I get my cash?

UK consumers are protected under European laws which state that they should receive full cash refunds within seven days for cancelled flights and 14 days for package holidays that do not take place.

But since the coronavirus outbreak many people have faced difficulties obtaining payouts from airlines and holiday firms.

That situation is likely to continue over the coming weeks.

Is there a furlough scheme?

Yes, furlough will be payable at 80 per cent for the duration of the package of tougher national measures. 

The support will be available across the UK.

Business premises forced to close in England will also receive grants worth up to £3,000 per month under a Local Restrictions Support Grant.

A further £1.1 billion will be given to local authorities – distributed on the basis of £20 per head – for one-off payments to support businesses.

Is there support for mortgages? 

Yes. Homeowners will be able to take the option of mortgage payment holidays, which had been due to end on Saturday but have been extended.

Home sales are expected to be allowed to continue.  

Can I go to church?

Churches will remain open for private prayer.

Funerals are limited to close family members only. It is currently unclear what the rules are for weddings.

Will Premier League football matches continue?

Yes. Boris Johnson said games would continue despite the restrictions.

What if I live in an area with lower cases?

You must still observe the rules because they apply across England. 

Professor Chris Whitty said that many of the areas with lower case numbers have the highest rates of increase.

He also warned: ‘Some areas including the South West are likely to get pressure on beds really relatively early because of the way the NHS is constructed in those areas.’