Guidance on planning a holiday in England

Guidance correct as of 20 August 2020.

• If you or anyone you live with feels unwell with Covid-19 symptoms – don’t travel – stay at home and get a test. You must not leave your home for any reason. For stay at home guidance visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance.
• Your accommodation provider can refuse your stay if you are showing Covid-19 symptoms on arrival.
• Have a plan in case you get ill while away – especially if you are travelling on public transport and need to get home quickly.
• Remember to pack hand sanitiser and face coverings and any medication you may need plus your own GP details. 

Things to remember

• As at home, you must regularly wash your hands.
• While no longer a legal requirement, please wear a face mask on public transport and in shops.

What shall I do if I feel unwell while on holiday in England?

If you develop symptoms whilst on holiday, please arrange a test using your holiday address. You can order a test from www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119. You MUST notify your accommodation provider immediately. If you are staying or travelling with others, they must also self-isolate and take appropriate action based on your test result.

What should I do if my test is positive? 

• You MUST notify your accommodation provider immediately that you have tested positive
• If you feel well enough to travel, you should return home as quickly and directly as you can, using private transport
• It is important that you do not use public transport.
• Test results are issued by text or email so you if you feel unwell, you do not need to wait for your results, but you must return home the most direct way, by private transport. 
• If you feel so unwell that you cannot travel, or if you cannot avoid using public transport, you should continue to self-isolate (including those travelling with you) and call 111 for further advice. 
• Accommodation providers are not obliged to provide self-isolating facilities so you will be liable for any additional costs incurred. 
• You must self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started. 

My test was negative, can I stay?

If your result is negative, you can stay and enjoy your visit as planned, provided that the NHS Test and Trace service has not advised you to self-isolate (see below). If you are still feeling unwell and need medical assistance, please call your own regular GP or 111.

I have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace while on holiday in England and told I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. What should I do?

• If you are contacted by Test & Trace whilst on holiday you MUST notify your accommodation provider immediately that you have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate.
• If you are well enough to return home and private transportation then please do so and self isolate at home. Do not use public transport.
• If you cannot avoid using public transport, you should continue to self-isolate and call 111 for further advice. 
• Accommodation providers are not obliged to provide self-isolating facilities so you will be liable for any additional costs incurred. 
• If you start to feel unwell during your self-isolation period arrange a test: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call: 119
• Even if you remain well you must continue to self-isolate for 14 days at home after you last had contact with the person who tested positive as you could be carrying the virus and be infectious but not show any symptoms
• People you are travelling with do not need to self-isolate if you do not have symptoms

Who do I contact if I'm unwell?

• If you are ill and need medical advice, call 111 or your own GP
• In the event of a medical emergency, call 999