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Coronavirus: When will I be able to go on holiday? Coronavirus: What's the chance of going on holiday?
(17 days later)
The prospect of taking a holiday, at home or abroad, seems remote to many people in the UK as the coronavirus lockdown continues. The chance of having a summer holiday seems remote - with many UK tourism businesses still shut and foreign travel difficult because of quarantine rules.
However, the idea of having fewer restrictions in place for travel between countries with low levels of coronavirus has been suggested. What is the latest situation?
Can I go on a foreign holiday?
At the moment, it's unlikely.
British nationals are being urged not to take any non-essential foreign travel, and to return home from abroad if possible.
Various countries like the US have travel restrictions which prevent or limit foreign arrivals, and many airlines are offering a reduced service, or have suspended all flights.
What's more, the UK is planning to introduce a 14-day quarantine period "as soon as possible". Visitors and UK nationals returning home will have to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival (although people coming from Ireland will be exempt).
What's the chance that this will change?
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has told MPs that the quarantine arrangements - expected to come into force in early June - would be "a blanket solution" at first.
But he suggested that "air bridges" could be introduced. This would be an arrangement where travellers from countries with low coronavirus levels could be exempt from quarantine.
Speaking to the BBC, Greece's tourism minister called for his country - which has not been badly affected - to be among those exempt from quarantine rules.
Can I go on holiday in the UK?Can I go on holiday in the UK?
People in England are free to drive any distance to other destinations in England, like parks and beaches, but are not supposed to stay overnight away from home (including any second property they own). No - not until the start of July at the earliest.
Self-catering cottages, Airbnb properties, and UK campsites, hotels and holiday parks will remain shut until at least the beginning of July. Lockdown restrictions are being eased slowly across the UK, but the tourist industry does not yet have the green light to reopen fully.
Many national parks remain closed, and public facilities such as car parks and toilets may not be open either. You'll probably be able to get an ice cream at the seaside - and some restaurants and bars are doing takeaway food and drink - but hotels remain closed to all guests, except for a small number of specific groups.
People are also being advised to avoid public transport wherever possible. Government advice in England says businesses providing holiday accommodation - including hotels, campsites, caravan parks and short-term lets - should stay closed for leisure-related trips. No person should stay overnight away from their own home for a holiday or similar purpose, it adds.
And they are being urged not to rush to beauty spots such as the Lake District. Visit Cornwall says that people should not travel to the area unless they can return home within 90 minutes. The Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says he's keen get the tourism sector going as "rapidly as possible" with the government sticking to what it describes as an "ambitious target" to get England's tourism sector back by 4 July - "as long as it is safe to do so".
"Self-contained accommodation has a lower risk than other areas," Mr Dowden told the Commons, "I would hope that that will be at the front of the queue."
Hotels in Northern Ireland already have a confirmed date for reopening - Monday 20 July.
Zoos and animal parks are shut, as are many national parks. Facilities such as car parks and toilets may not be open either.
People are also being urged not to rush to beauty spots such as the Lake District. Visit Cornwall says that people should not travel to the area unless they can return home within 90 minutes.
In addition, people who live in England cannot travel for recreation into Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.In addition, people who live in England cannot travel for recreation into Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Should I book a summer holiday? Can I go on a foreign holiday?
It is just not possible to say at this stage. At the moment, it's difficult.
Hotels and holiday resorts in England may start to reopen at the beginning of July, if the government considers enough progress has been made against its five tests. British nationals are still being urged not to take any non-essential foreign travel.
Restrictions may also ease across the rest of the UK, allowing people to travel more widely at home. This means you are unlikely to get travel insurance, because insurers and airlines take their cue from the official advice.
EasyJet has said it plans to resume some flights in June, while Ryanair and British Airways plan to ramp up their flights in July, But the airlines are hopeful for the summer season.
EasyJet plans to resume some flights this month, while Ryanair and British Airways plan to ramp up their services in July,
All TUI and First Choice holidays are cancelled until at least 11 June.All TUI and First Choice holidays are cancelled until at least 11 June.
But what if I do go?
Be prepared to self-isolate at your destination and - if you return to the UK from Monday 8 June - you will have to quarantine for two weeks.
So, if you can't work from home, you may have to take a minimum of three weeks' annual leave for a one-week trip abroad - and that's assuming your holiday destination doesn't require you to quarantine.
All visitors and returning UK nationals arriving by plane, ferry or train will face fines if they break the rules. Certain groups are exempt.
UK aviation bosses are hoping a large number of so called "air bridges" will be in place by 29 June, when the UK travel quarantine measures are set to be reviewed.
These would exempt travellers from quarantine, if they move between countries with low virus levels.
What are other countries doing?What are other countries doing?
The EU has insisted there will be a summer season this year.The EU has insisted there will be a summer season this year.
The European Commission has proposed a gradual lifting of travel restrictions throughout the EU.The European Commission has proposed a gradual lifting of travel restrictions throughout the EU.
Seasonal workers and citizens of countries with similar levels of infections could start to travel more freely first.Seasonal workers and citizens of countries with similar levels of infections could start to travel more freely first.
The commission recommends people follow social distancing rules and use mandatory face masks while travelling, and that there is controlled access to hotel and restaurant facilities in resorts.
There would have to be enough hospital capacity to deal with any spike in cases, and it is clear that if infections start to rise again, restrictions may be reimposed.
The plans are non-binding, so it will be up to individual countries to implement changes, and it's not yet clear what it might mean for UK travellers.
What about going away in the autumn?What about going away in the autumn?
Again, it is impossible at this stage to say if it will be possible. Again, it's impossible to say at this stage.
Travel advice will need to have been updated, but it depends on the disease's progress.Travel advice will need to have been updated, but it depends on the disease's progress.
Holidays and flights booked against Foreign Office travel advice are unlikely to be covered by travel insurance if you are not able to travel after all. Remember, holidays and flights booked against Foreign Office travel advice are unlikely to be covered by travel insurance if you end up not able to travel.
What about holidays already booked for this year?What about holidays already booked for this year?
If your package holiday or flights have already been cancelled, then you are are entitled to a full cash refund.If your package holiday or flights have already been cancelled, then you are are entitled to a full cash refund.
However, lots of people are struggling to get their money back, and being offered vouchers or rebooked trips instead. However, lots of people have been struggling to get their money back, and have been offered vouchers or rebooked trips instead.
If you are offered a voucher, or a free rebooking instead of cash, you can accept or refuse it. But if the airline later folds, the voucher may no longer be valid.If you are offered a voucher, or a free rebooking instead of cash, you can accept or refuse it. But if the airline later folds, the voucher may no longer be valid.
If your airline or holiday company hasn't cancelled your holiday yet, but you no longer wish to travel, you may not be entitled to a refund.If your airline or holiday company hasn't cancelled your holiday yet, but you no longer wish to travel, you may not be entitled to a refund.
However, some providers are allowing people to rebook trips for a later date at no cost.However, some providers are allowing people to rebook trips for a later date at no cost.