Coronavirus travel advice: latest Foreign Office travel advice for Italy, France, Spain, Thailand, USA and other affected places

Despite Britain embarking on “at least” another two weeks of lockdown measures, people are already thinking about the potential of summer travel
(Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)(Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

With no real end in sight to the current coronavirus crisis, it’s understandable.

Having been cooped up for months, and with a handful of other countries slowly relaxing their own virus-tackling measures, the public are itching to get away from it all.

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But just how likely is is that we’ll see the usual summer holidays in 2020?

(Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) Copyright: Getty Images(Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) Copyright: Getty Images
(Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) Copyright: Getty Images

Here's the latest travel advice:

What's the 'official' travel advice?

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide. This advice took effect immediately on 17 March, and while it initially applied for a period of 30 days, the travel ban is now listed as “indefinite”.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented international border closures and other restrictions,” said the FCO. “All countries may restrict travel without notice.”

(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

That indefinite ruling remains in place, even as other countries begin to relax their measures; there's no telling how things will play out.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps recently said he would certainly not be booking a summer holiday at present.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on 17 April, Mr Shapps said that "clearly people will want to see what the trajectory of this disease is in the next few weeks".

"I won't be booking a summer holiday at this point, let's put it that way."

(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP via Getty Images)

What if I already had travel plans?

If you now need to change or cancel your travel plans, follow these steps:

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- contact your airline, travel company, cruise line or other transport and accommodation providers

- get in touch with your insurance provider

- continue to follow the NHS coronavirus guidance

The FCO was already advising against all but essential travel or all travel to some areas or countries due to risks that do not relate to COVID-19. This advice remains in place. Check FCO travel advice pages for the latest information.

Coronavirus: the facts

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus and is spread primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS states that you should not leave the home if you have either:

- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

What should I do if I feel unwell?

Don’t go to your GP but instead look online at the coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and what to do next. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

What precautions can be taken?

Washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly. The NHS also advises to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; put used tissues in the bin immediately and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Also avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.

When can I go outside?

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The Government has put the UK into lockdown and instructed everyone to stay at home. You should only leave your home for very limited purposes:

- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

- one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

- any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

However, these reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.