Government legal restrictions on flying abroad in Covid lockdown – holidays, leisure trips are NOT allowed
The government guidance on travel abroad, under Covid lockdown in England, from 4th January 2021. “You can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting. If you do need to travel overseas (and are legally permitted to do so, for example, because it is for work), even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, you should look at the rules in place at your destination and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice. UK residents currently abroad do not need to return home immediately. However, you should check with your airline or travel operator on arrangements for returning. Foreign nationals are subject to the ‘Stay at Home’ regulations. You should not travel abroad unless it is permitted. This means you must not go on holiday. If foreign nationals are visiting the UK, you may return home. You should check whether there are any restrictions in place at your destination. You cannot leave your home or the place where you are living for holidays or overnight stays unless you have a reasonable excuse for doing so. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed.”
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National lockdown: Stay at Home
Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country. Find out what you can and cannot do.
The government guidance on travel abroad, under Covid lockdown in England. (There are slightly different restrictions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland),
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#travel
International travel
You can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where you first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, you should consider the public health advice in the country you are visiting.
If you do need to travel overseas (and are legally permitted to do so, for example, because it is for work), even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, you should look at the rules in place at your destination and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.
UK residents currently abroad do not need to return home immediately. However, you should check with your airline or travel operator on arrangements for returning.
Foreign nationals are subject to the ‘Stay at Home’ regulations. You should not travel abroad unless it is permitted. This means you must not go on holiday.
If you are visiting the UK, you may return home. You should check whether there are any restrictions in place at your destination.
Staying away from home overnight
You cannot leave your home or the place where you are living for holidays or overnight stays unless you have a reasonable excuse for doing so. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed.
This includes staying in a second home or caravan, if that is not your primary residence. This also includes staying with anyone who you don’t live with unless they’re in your support bubble.
…. and there is lots more.
See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#travel
Heathrow Airport in lockdown 3 – will it close and what do the latest rules mean for passengers
New rules have been introduced in early January
5th January 2021 (Berkshire Live)
People in Berkshire face weeks more uncertainty after the third national lockdown was introduced.
The latest restrictions, which re-enforce the “Stay at Home” message from the first lockdown of March 2020, will affect anyone who was hoping to travel from Heathrow Airport.
The airport has stayed open throughout the previous lockdowns, but air travel has reduced drastically during the pandemic.
Heathrow is the airport usually used by tens of thousands of travellers from Reading, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Slough, Windsor and Newbury each year.
The new rules state people can only travel internationally if they have a legally permitted reason to leave home, such as for work.
Travellers should also consider the rules of the country they are travelling to.
People who are abroad at the moment do not need to return immediately, but are strongly advised to check with their travel operator before they return home.
Foreign nationals living in the UK are subject to the same regulations and must not travel abroad unless it is permitted.
Visitors to the UK are allowed to return home.
This means people are not allowed to go on holiday.
Anyone with flights booked needs to check with the operator before travelling.
A tweet from the airport’s account said: “Heathrow remains open and operating safely.
“From 5 Jan the Government is advising against all but essential travel (where legally permitted to do so, for example, for work).
Heathrow tweet: “We advise passengers to check their flight status with their airline before travelling to Heathrow: https://heathrow.com/airline-contact-info… Find our latest FAQs at http://heathrow.com/coronavirus We appreciate your patience, and we’ll continue to update you through our website and social media.”
All passengers over the age of 11 must wear face coverings within the terminal buildings.
Passengers must check in two hours in advance for European flights and three hours early for long haul flights.
Passengers are also advised to make sure they keep up with any changes in restrictions in the country they’re going to, check their travel insurance is valid and check their cancellation rights.
What safety measures are in place?
A number of safety measures are in place at the airport to help passengers who still have to travel.
There are now “hundreds” of hand sanitisers, as well as one-way systems, more frequent cleaning, perspex screens and regular, anti-viral cleaning of passenger “touch points”.
Non-passengers are not allowed into the terminals unless they have a specific reason – they are not allowed in to say goodbye or greet someone returning – and must wear a face mask.
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https://www.heathrow.com/customer-support/faq/coronavirus-covid-19
Heathrow says about cancelling parking:
If you are planning to travel during this time of uncertainty and wish to cancel your parking booking, Heathrow has a flexible cancellation policy which allows you to cancel up to two hours before.
On shopping at Heathrow, the airport’s website says:
Only our essential retail stores remain open so you can continue to purchase essential items. Food and beverage outlets remain open for takeaway and table service, so passengers can grab a bite to eat. Some our retailers are offering a pre-pay and collect service.
In addition, Travelex stores in Terminal 2 and 5 are also open.
Non-essential stores have closed, in line with the latest Government restrictions.