Covid-19: England Allows Travel Abroad After December 2

Holidays abroad will be permitted again for millions of Britons after England lifts its current ban on foreign travel and its Covid-19 lockdown measures on December 2.

British health authorities on Thursday presented the details of a renewed three-tier regional system for England, announced earlier this week by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, which will allow Britons to fly abroad provided they abide by quarantine rules and the travel corridor system.

The new system will apply until spring and includes a series of rules based on Covid-19 levels at place of residence.

According to the UK government: “The stay-at-home requirement will end, with domestic and international travel being permitted again subject to guidance in each tier.”

Overall, Brits living in a tier 1 or tier 2 regions will be able to resume traveling.

However, people in high alert Tier 3 areas are advised not to travel with the exception of going to work, or for educational and other exceptional circumstances. Hotels, entertainment venues and campsites in those areas will be closed.

At the same time, residents in Tier 1 and 2 areas are advised against traveling to top-tier areas.

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Thursday gave his weekly travel corridors update and make announcements concerning the country’s quarantine-free list.

Travel Corridor: BHUTAN, TIMOR-LESTE, MONGOLIA, ARUBA, the following PACIFIC ISLANDS: SAMOA, KIRIBATI, MICRONESIA, TONGA, VANUATU and SOLOMON ISLANDS have been ADDED to the #TravelCorridor list. If you arrive from these places after 4am Sat 28 Nov you do NOT need to self-isolate pic.twitter.com/txaFIUxLqV

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) November 26, 2020

Latest data means we must remove ESTONIA and LATVIA from the #TravelCorridor list. From 4am Saturday 28th November, if you arrive into the UK from these destinations you will need to self-isolate.

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) November 26, 2020

Earlier this week, Shapps said a new testing program slashing quarantine time from 14 days to five will be rolled out as of December 15, which means that travelers will be able to take a single test on the fifth day, with a negative result confirming their release from self-isolation. They will have to pay for the Covid-19 test themselves, however. Tests from private companies cost between 65 and 120 pounds.

Shapps said the scheme would “bolster international travel while keeping the public safe”.

It should be noted that Greece welcomes British travelers without quarantine on return but requires a negative Covid-19 test result before arrival. Other destinations doing the same include the Canary Islands, UAE (including Dubai), Maldives, Barbados, Seychelles, and Turks and Caicos Islands.