From May 17th new rules will be in place for international arrivals entering England. These rules allow overseas tourists from certain countries and territories to holiday in England. If you are able to travel and plan to visit Bath do get in touch, I would be delighted to show you around!
The entry requirements will depend on your departing country and any countries/territories that you have been to in the last 10 days. All countries and territories will be assigned to either a green, amber or red list. These lists are based on a number of factors including the percentage of a country's population that has been vaccinated and infection levels.
If you are departing from a country on the green list and you have not been to a country/territory that is on the amber/red list in the last 10 days - then good news: you will not need to quarantine when you enter England! You will just need to take a COVID-19 test before you depart your country and pre-book and pay (before you depart your country) for a COVID-19 test on day 2 in England. As long as these tests prove negative you can continue your holiday uninterrupted.
As one might expect at this early stage, there is only a handful of countries and territories on the green list, namely: Australia, Brunei, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands and St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. This list will be officially reviewed and updated every 3 weeks although the UK Government reserves the right to make any changes at the last moment. To check the latest list please visit the UK Government website here.
If you are departing from a country on the amber list or have been to a country/territory in the last 10 days that is on the amber list - you will need to quarantine when you arrive in England. This however does not have to be at a Government approved quarantine hotel. You must quarantine at your first destination - for 10 days. This quarantine can be reduced by taking the UK Government's Test to Release Scheme. Under this scheme you can pay for a private test after your 5th full day in England. If this test proves negative you will no longer need to quarantine. Before you depart your country you will have to take a COVID-19 test and book and pay for a COVID-19 test on day 2 and on/after day 8 in England. You must still take the day 8 test if you finish your quarantine early. The United States, Canada, Hong Kong and most of Europe are currently on the amber list (along with many other countries and territories).
If your country is on the red list or you have been to a country/territory on the red list in the last 10 days then you will not be allowed to enter England unless you are a UK or Irish National or have residence rights in the UK.
For full details and the latest information on entry requirements into England please visit the UK Government website here.
As a passionate traveller myself I am delighted that, slowly but surely, things are starting to open up and the possibility of international travel is just around the corner. We live in a beautiful and fascinating world. I hope one day soon I will be able to show you the beautiful and fascinating sights in my small corner of the world.
Intrigued about the photo above? Until I have written a book - feel free to ask me about my own travel stories when we meet!