Travelling and returning home - what do you need to know?
As restrictions ease, many of us are thinking about booking travel abroad but aren’t sure what the rules are on their return to the UK. We’ve put together this blog post with everything you need to know about returning to the UK from abroad.
It’s also important to bear in mind that the rules abroad will often vary depending on where you are visiting, so make sure you’ve checked these before booking and that you’re up to date when you travel. Different rules may also apply if you’re travelling for work.
As we know, restrictions in the UK are also subject to change at short notice, so it’s a good idea to check your travel provider’s COVID-19 cancellations policy before you book anything - it’s important to make sure you won’t end up out of pocket if your plans change!
Know the rules for the country you’re visiting
Before visiting any country, it’s important to check the ‘traffic light’ system so you know what rules to follow upon returning. Depending if the country is on the red, amber or green list, the rules will be different - if you don’t follow these you could be hit with a hefty fine!
It’s worth noting if you’ve visited more than one country within 10 days, you will have to follow the strictest set of rules. For example, if you visited an amber country prior to a green country before coming to the UK, you’d have to follow the amber rules upon your return.
Make sure you’ve done your paperwork
No matter where you visit, you’ll need to fill in a form with details of the address where you’ll be staying in the UK. Make sure you fill this in before you travel - you can fill in the form up to 48 hours before you arrive in the UK.
Once you’ve filled in the form you need to show confirmation both to your travel provider and once you arrive in the UK. Make sure you fill in the form accurately - if you fail to mention you’ve been to a red list country it could land you a prison sentence of up to 10 years!
Proving you don’t have coronavirus
You’ll need to show a negative test certificate when boarding a flight, boat or train to the UK and also when you arrive here. Before travelling you’ll also need to book 1 or 2 coronavirus tests after you arrive - if either test is positive, you’ll have to quarantine for 10 days.
Everyone needs to take a test on day 2 after they arrive and also on day 8 (unless you’ve only visited countries on the green list). These tests won’t be provided free of charge, so be sure to factor these extra costs into your budget before booking any travel abroad.
When you need to quarantine
If you’ve visited any country on the red list you’ll have to stay in a quarantine hotel for 10 days after you arrive. If you’ve been to an amber country, you’ll also need to quarantine for 10 days at the address that you put on your form.
You may be able to reduce your self-isolation period after visiting an amber country to 5 days, if you pay for a private test to show you don’t have coronavirus - the test must be from a government-approved provider and will also incur an extra cost to you.
If you can’t work because of quarantine
It’s a good idea to speak to your employer before you plan to travel, as if you’re required to quarantine on your return to the UK this may mean you’re unable to work. You may be able to work from home, be furloughed or take annual or unpaid leave whilst you quarantine.
You can’t get statutory sick pay or self-isolation payment for being in quarantine but you may be able to get them for other reasons, for example if you return a positive coronavirus test and have to self-isolate.