Essential travel in the United Kingdom
British nationals and UK residents were first advised to avoid “non-essential travel” back in March 2020. These restrictions were somewhat eased over the summer, only to return in November when PM Boris Johnson placed England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and parts of Scotland, under a second national lockdown. These measures persist with a third national lockdown in place.So, what exactly does the UK define as “essential travel”? According to the Cabinet Office, “you must not leave your home unless you have a reasonable excuse”. That “reasonable excuse” is limited to:
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- Going to work (where WFH isn’t possible)
- Accessing education
- Visiting those in your support bubble
- Receiving medical attention
- Buying necessary goods or services in your local area
- Outdoor exercise
- Providing care and exercise for animals
European Union travel restrictions
EU Member States are adopting a coordinated approach to the restriction of free movement in order to avoid a third wave. All Member States are committed to a 4-pronged approach:
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- Implementing a color-coded mapping system based on the epidemiological situation in each country. Learn more at Re-open EU.
- Following a set of common criteria when deciding what travel restrictions to enforce
- Clear measures applied to arrivals from high-risk areas
- Keeping the public informed in a timely manner
Travel safety restrictions in the USA
All travelers entering the United States will need to present a negative COVID-19 test, taken at most 3 days prior to departure. Conversely, they can present proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days before their arrival in the US (US Department of State). Entry requirements will vary depending on a traveler’s country of origin. Mandatory quarantine may be enforced for arrivals from high-risk countries.There are certain domestic travel restrictions in place as well, as each state can mandate its own entry requirements. Currently, 19 states including California, Alaska, and Hawaii, have quarantine and other strict restrictions in place. 11 states, like Texas, Nevada, and Illinois have not implemented stricter measures, however are not yet ready to fully reopen state lines. 21 states, including Florida, Georgia, and Iowa, currently have no travel restrictions in place (Kayak).“Essential travelers” to the United States include:
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- Citizens and permanent residents
- Individuals traveling for medical purposes
- Students attending US educational institutions
- Individuals working in the US
- Individuals traveling for public health purposes
- Anyone traveling for cross-border trade
- Those traveling for diplomatic purposes
- Those engaged in military operations
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