COVID-19 – Travel Restrictions Easing

This entry was posted in News, For you on 6th July 2020 by Matthew Finley.

Amongst the chaos caused by COVID-19, it’s exciting to see a light at the end of the tunnel as things gradually begin to return to normal. With offices and public spaces such as restaurants, bars, and cafes being allowed to reopen from 4^th July with additional safety measures in place, it looks as though the travel and hospitality industries can also start to see things moving once more. But, before you get to booking your next weekend getaway or city stay, there are a few things you should consider…

Safe travelling on public transport – what you need to know

Whilst travelling on public transport has been allowed for a number of weeks now, the Government is still encouraging travellers to use their own vehicle to complete their journey, or to delay their travels as much as possible.

Should you need to complete a journey on public transport, you should be prepared to:

Wear a face covering to limit the potential spread of any bacteria from yourself to another traveller, or vice versa.
Carry your own hand sanitiser so that you can sanitise your hands after making contact with any surface, such as the railings and handles on a bus or train.
Maintain a two-metre distance between yourself and other travellers at all times. Where this is not possible, a distance of one metre should be consistently maintained.
Avoid any physical contact with others.
Follow any guidelines put into place by the transport service provider you are travelling with, including which seats you are able to use, how to queue, and any physical restrictions such as floor markings, or limits to the number of passengers being allowed to travel.

Can I book a hotel and stay during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Government have announced that hotels and B&Bs in the UK will be allowed to reopen from 4^th July. However, they can only do so with strict safety measures in place, and all guests will be required to follow guidelines at all times.

For staff and guests, these will include:

Increased cleaning protocols in place throughout the day for all public spaces, such as reception and eating/bar areas, with particular consideration for any shared facilities.
Handwashing facilities made readily available throughout the building for guests to use.
Ensuring social distancing guidelines are adhered to, with floor markings providing guidance for guests, and all tables spaced at least one meter apart.
Offering staggered check-in and check-out times to prevent congestion in the reception area, and thoroughly cleaning room keys between guests. Queuing systems similar to those we’ve seen in supermarkets may also be implemented.
Minimising self-serve facilities for guests, including for food, drinks or cutlery, and replacing with table service
Minimising the use of cash, and encouraging contactless or online payment where possible.

Amongst the recent changes, some guidelines have remained the same, including the closure of indoor leisure facilities such as gyms, pools and spas until further notice.

Holidays abroad – where can I travel to?

As of Friday 3^rd July, the Government has announced a list of countries which have been given the green light for travel, allowing people to travel freely between them from 10^th July without facing a 14-day quarantine.

Amongst the 59 countries that have been given the green light for travel are popular holiday destinations such as: