The UK Prime Minister announced new national restrictions over the weekend due to a rising COVID-19 infection rate, which requires all citizens to stay at home. The new restrictions come into force on Thursday (Nov. 5).
According to the official government guidance, there is no exemption for staying away from home on holiday. This means people cannot travel internationally or within the UK, unless for “work, education or other legally permitted exemptions”. Inbound international travel will continue to be governed by the travel corridor approach, and those currently on a domestic holiday will be allowed to finish their holidays, but are still subject to the requirements in England not to go out without a reasonable excuse.
The travel ban is part of a wider lockdown that involves shutting pubs, restaurants, non-essential shops as well as entertainment and leisure venues.
UK-based airlines are reviewing announced flight schedules as a result of the sudden announcement. easyJet chief executive Johan Lundgren said that the airline “will operate its planned schedule until Thursday and will be reviewing its flying programme over the lockdown period”. Adding that it is likely that much of the UK touching schedule will be “cancelled during lockdown with our planned flying set to resume in early December”.
Jet2 stated that it is currently operating holidays until Wednesday and is working with the government to “obtain much-needed clarity about what it means for those wishing to holiday overseas”. Tui is taking a similar approach and will update customers before Thursday. British Airways is yet to announce any cancellations.