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Coronavirus: What's the chance of going on holiday? Coronavirus: What's the chance of going on holiday?
(2 days later)
The chance of having a summer holiday seems remote - with many UK tourism businesses still shut and foreign travel difficult because of quarantine rules. The chance of having a summer break abroad in 2020 seems remote - with the Foreign Office still warning against non-essential travel, and quarantine rules making many trips impractical.
What is the latest situation? However, the holiday industry in parts of the UK looks set to start operating again during July.
Can I go on holiday in the UK?Can I go on holiday in the UK?
No - not until the start of July at the earliest. Self-catering holiday accommodation will reopen in Northern Ireland from 26 June, and hotels will follow a week later on 3 July.
Lockdown restrictions are being eased slowly across the UK, but the tourist industry does not yet have the green light to reopen fully. A decision will be taken in Wales on 9 July on whether to open up the country to tourists again. If this is given the go-ahead, it's likely to take effect from 13 July.
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. The Welsh government has said that people can start booking holidays in self-contained accommodation from that date onwards. This includes self-catering cottages and apartments, caravans with their own bathroom facilities, and hotels which can provide room-service meals.
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. The Scottish government has said that hotels and tourist accommodation may be able to reopen from 15 July at the earliest, if its next review of lockdown restrictions on 9 July decides that conditions are favourable.
Government advice in England still says that 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.
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".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 House of 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.
Can I go on a foreign holiday?Can I go on a foreign holiday?
At the moment, it's difficult.At the moment, it's difficult.
British nationals are still being urged not to take any non-essential foreign travel.British nationals are still being urged not to take any non-essential foreign travel.
This means you are unlikely to get travel insurance, because insurers take their cue from the official advice.This means you are unlikely to get travel insurance, because insurers take their cue from the official advice.
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. But the airlines are hopeful for the summer season. EasyJet has started limited flights in June, and hopes to resume flights on 75% of its route network by the end of August, while Ryanair and British Airways plan to ramp up their services in July.
But what if I do go?But what if I do go?
On 15 June the European Union lifted travel restrictions, leaving it to individual countries to decide if they're ready for tourists.On 15 June the European Union lifted travel restrictions, leaving it to individual countries to decide if they're ready for tourists.
Some, including France, Germany, Italy and Portugal are now welcoming travellers from the UK.Some, including France, Germany, Italy and Portugal are now welcoming travellers from the UK.
Others, including Ireland and the Netherlands will force visitors to quarantine for 14 days upon entry. Others, such as Ireland, require visitors to quarantine for 14 days upon entry.
Greece is open, but tourists will have to be tested for coronavirus upon arrival. Anybody testing positive will have to quarantine for 14 days.Greece is open, but tourists will have to be tested for coronavirus upon arrival. Anybody testing positive will have to quarantine for 14 days.
British holidaymakers are currently unable to enter Australia, India and the US.British holidaymakers are currently unable to enter Australia, India and the US.
They will also have to spend two weeks quarantined in a hotel upon arrival if they wish to visit New Zealand.They will also have to spend two weeks quarantined in a hotel upon arrival if they wish to visit New Zealand.
Most travellers will also have to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to the UK.Most travellers will also have to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to the UK.
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. The government hopes to set up a system of "air bridges" with other countries.
These would exempt travellers from quarantine, if they move between countries with low virus levels.These would exempt travellers from quarantine, if they move between countries with low virus levels.
What about going away in the autumn?What about going away in the autumn?
Again, it's impossible to say at this stage.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.
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 have been struggling to get their money back, and have been 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.