It’s a new month, so we now have new coronavirus laws that have come into force, making it illegal for Brits to undertake international travel – unless they can prove it is for a permitted reason.
Under the new laws, which came into place in March 2021, and are expected to last until June 30th 2021 any non-essential foreign travel has now been banned, with rule-breakers facing fines of up to £5000.
However, it is worth noting that international travel was already banned under previous lockdown measures – although the hope is that it would be allowed to be resumed from May 17th.
The key date to note is the 12 April, as this is when the Global Travel Taskforce are due to update Boris Johnson on what they believe the travel policy should be.
So, if you are planning to travel abroad under the current rules, you will need to show evidence that you are travelling for a permitted reason and sign a declaration form.
What are the permitted reasons for travelling abroad?
The currently permitted reasons for international travel are:
- Business or work reasons where it is not possible to complete said work in the UK
- Volunteering work, again, where it is not possible to complete this in the UK
- Medical treatment that cannot be undertaken in the UK – and you can also accompany someone for this (where necessary)
- Compassionate grounds – such as visiting someone who is critically ill or dying
- Reasons to do with maternity – such as with a baby receiving neo-natal care, or to be with someone who is giving birth
- Education – mainly international students, including those who are returning home
- Escaping risk or harm (such as domestic abuse) or avoiding illness or injury
- Funerals – although not just to visit a burial ground or attend a commemorative event
- Weddings/Civil Partnerships – if it is your own, or family members if one of those getting married does not live in the UK
- Non-UK residents who have been in the UK temporarily – such as transit passengers or those who do not permanently live in the UK
- If you need to travel abroad to fulfil any legal obligations
- Travelling abroad to exercise your custody rights
- Travelling to present yourself to a judicial or administrative authority
- Any activities relating to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property
If you are planning to travel abroad for any of these reasons, then you will probably need to provide proof to your airline that you are fit to travel. Your best option for that would be our COVID-19 PCR Test – with Fit to Fly Certificate included. We can have the results back to you wishing 48 hours of your flight (depending on when you get the sample back to us) giving you peace of mind that you can travel safely (on receipt of a negative result).
