Holidays abroad are outlawed under strict new winter lockdown rules

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Britons will be banned from going on holidays abroad again under strict new winter lockdown rules.

All outbound international travel will be banned, except for a small number of circumstances, as part of the new rules revealed last night by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Internal travel within the UK for any reason, apart from work, education or other legally permitted exemptions, will also be banned as part of the month-long lockdown – which comes into play from Thursday.

The new 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.

The new rules, which will be in place until December 2, were announced as part of the government’s latest plans to combat the growing spread of coronavirus in the UK.

But they will throw thousands of winter holidays into chaos and heap more misery on already suffering airlines and travel firms, say travel bosses.

Flights are likely to be cancelled as demand plummets, with Britons only permitted to leave the country for work, education or other circumstances such as medical reasons.

But travellers are not required to return from their trips early, it has been announced, while airports and train stations will stay open.

Airlines are responsible under consumer law to bring travellers home.

But flight schedules are likely to be slashed in response to the drop in demand, meaning many people may be forced to change their travel dates.

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

Meanwhile, easyJet has today 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.’ 

However, holiday firms and airlines are unlikely to refund customers unless advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) 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 corridors.

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.

Today, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) said there would be ‘no exemption for staying away from home 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’.  

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

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.’