As each of the devolved nations lays out their routes out of lockdown and back to some sort of normality, we start to get a clearer picture of when holidays might be possible again.
But with each set of rules and timelines proving slightly different, it can be confusing to figure out when domestic travel might be permissable between nations within the UK.
Whether it’s crossing the border from England to Wales or hopping the Irish Sea from Scotland to Northern Ireland, here’s what we know so far about travelling between nations.
Travel to England
The UK government set out a roadmap out of lockdown that included specific dates. The first one relating to travel is 29 March, when the “stay at home” order switches to “stay local” in England. Although it’s unclear exactly how far you can go, those on the borders between countries – say the English/Welsh border – have a case for crossing over and it still constituting “local” travel.
After that, the next key date is 12 April, from when domestic holidays could be allowed – for the first time you can stay overnight in a property in England as long as it is self-contained (for example, in a self-catering holiday cottage). From that date, people from other UK nations should be able to cross the border to stay in England if their own governments’ rules allow, provided they are staying only with people from their own household or support bubble.
From 17 May, all accommodation types in England are slated to reopen, including hotels. However, being allowed to travel to England will again be dependent on the traveller’s origin country’s rules.
Travel to Scotland
Scotland's “stay at home” order shifts to “stay local” from 2 April.
However, unrestricted travel within Scotland won’t be possible until 26 April – at that point restrictions on the mainland will be “lifted entirely”, according to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
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This applies to all tourist accommodation, which can reopen from this date.
As for crossing into Scotland from the other UK nations for a holiday, a firm date has not been given yet.
However, speaking on 16 March, Sturgeon said she is hopeful that the current domestic travel ban can be lifted “if not on 26 April, then as soon as possible thereafter”.
A decision on this is set to be announced in April.
Travel to Wales
Travel rules within Wales are set to be relaxed earlier than in other parts of the UK.
The Welsh government has already ended its “stay at home” guidance, with residents permitted to travel locally up to around five miles from where they live.
Plans have also been confirmed to reopen self-contained accommodation in Wales from 27 March.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said that England’s different guidance would rule out holidays in Wales for those over the border this Easter.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “At Easter time, Welsh people will be able to travel for holidays over Easter within Wales, and to self-contained accommodation.
“The rules in England will not permit that. The Prime Minister’s road map says that for the weeks after 29 March, people should minimise travel, there are to be no holidays, and people won’t be allowed to stay away from home overnight.
“If it won’t be safe to stay overnight in England, then obviously it would not be safe for people to travel into Wales.”
This suggests that from 12 April, when overnight stays are allowed in England, holidays in Welsh self-contained accommodation should also be allowed.
Travel to Northern Ireland
From 12 April, subject to a review after Easter, Northern Ireland’s “stay at home” message will be relaxed, swapped for “stay local”.
It is currently unclear when holidays might be allowed, both for residents of Northern Ireland, and for those from elsewhere in the British Isles.
Stormont’s roadmap out of lockdown, called “Moving Forward: The Executive’s Pathway Out of Restrictions”, largely did not include specific dates to map progress; instead it sets out various health factors that will determine how and when the economy reopens.
Travel and tourism is one of the sectors included in the plan, and the timeline runs as follows: caravan sites, hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses can reopen in phase three (with some mitigations and shared facilities remain closed); hostels, campsites and other accommodation with shared facilities can reopen as part of stage four, plus hotels can offer a wider range of services; and the full return of leisure travel can resume in stage five.
