Last updated: 07/07/2020
Please note this information was correct at the time of writing (07/07/2020) and we will update as frequently as possible.
As we head into another month of social distancing measures, the warmer weather has many of us reflecting on the freedom of our usual UK holiday season.
It’s no real surprise that as time in lockdown has continued, Brits all across the UK are becoming more eager to return to normality and, probably more so, to their holiday schedules and Vitamin D top-ups! This is shown in Google Trends data here, where the amount of people searching for ‘When can I go on holiday?’ has steadily increased throughout the pandemic.
So, with the government announcing the development of travel/air corridors for England, what does this mean? And more importantly, what does this mean for you and your holiday schedule?
Please note this information was correct at the time of writing (07/07/2020) and we will update as frequently as possible.
What is an air corridor (coronavirus)?
The government’s recent introduction of travel/air corridors has seen people all across the UK searching terms like ‘What is meant by air corridor?’, so we wanted to break it down for you.
Air corridor meaning
A travel/air corridor is a term for a plan that will let you travel to and from specific countries without needing to quarantine when you come back home to the UK (to England, specifically at the moment). This is because the risk of coronavirus is thought to be low in these destinations.
It’s important to note that the UK government guidance currently only includes England.
When do the air corridor rules come into place?
Air corridor rules have been in effect since 10th July 2020.
What is a flight/travel corridor?
There have been lots of terms used to describe the above, including:
• Flight corridor
• Travel corridor
• Air corridor
• Air bridges
The official term from the UK government is ‘travel corridor’, but as far as we’re aware, they all mean the same thing.
Air corridor UK: Which countries can I travel to?
Now for the important part, where can you travel that’s on the UK air corridor, without needing to self-isolate on arrival/return? The below countries have been announced by the government as part of the travel corridor exemption list. The term ‘exemption’ may seem confusing, but it’s stated this way because if you’ve travelled to/from these countries, you are exempt from the need to self-isolate.
You should note that if you’ve been to any of these countries, but have also stopped somewhere not on the list, you should follow self-isolation rules.
Air corridor countries – full list
The most accurate place to go for a full list of approved countries is the government website.
Is there an air corridor map (UK)?
We haven’t come across any official air corridor map at the moment, but we’ll keep you posted if we find one. The above list of approved air corridor countries should be enough to help you understand for the time being!
When can I go on holiday again?
Although the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) are still advising against all but essential travel, the destinations on the air corridor list have now been exempt from that advice when travelling to and from England.
Needless to say, if you have coronavirus symptoms, you should avoid travel and follow government guidelines on self-isolating.
Do other countries have different coronavirus rules?
You’ll need to abide by the rules of the country you’re travelling to – so make sure you do your research beforehand.
Do I need insurance when travelling within the air corridor?
If you’re heading abroad, it’s always sensible to have travel insurance. The UK government have also advised having travel insurance in place to protect you against unexpected costs. However, it’s a good idea to reach out to your insurer before committing to a policy to check that they’ll be able to provide cover. Always make sure to review your policy exclusions and always double check the FCO’s advice before hand.
Is it safe to travel and should I still be worried?
Whilst the UK has come a long way over the last few months, travelling anywhere is still a risk at the moment – hence the continued emphasis on face masks and social distancing. Whether you’ll decide to use the air corridors to grab a trip away this summer is completely your own decision.
Perhaps there are a few things you can consider:
• Can you get the right level of insurance to cover you whilst away?
• When you come back to the UK, are there people who are at risk/shielding, that you can’t avoid having contact with?
• Would you enjoy your time away if you were worrying if you’d made the right decision?
• Could you compromise with a UK staycation instead?
Overall, it’s your decision and it’s best to keep an eye on FCDO travel advice and make your decisions based on their guidance.