Planning Travel during the Coronavirus pandemic

Whether or not there is a major disruption to travel, such as the Covid-19 epidemic sometimes trips have to be made. Not because someone needs a holiday, or wants to visit a business contact to discuss the latest products, but because there is an essential need. So - if you are in that situation what should you consider?

Check the travel guidance

UK Government Foreign Travel Advice

This explains the situation from a UK perspective - as at the 29th April the Government say that at this stage of the Covid-19 outbreak British nationals are advised against all but essential international travel.

This is because any country or area may restrict travel without any notice leaving you without the means to return home, or placed in a situation where you are locked down abroad.

So basically the Government view is currently that unless unavoidable you should not travel abroad whilst the Coronavirus pandemic is causing the current disruption..

Consider restrictions abroad.

Firstly be aware that there may be even more restrictive rules in place abroad and even essential travel may be banned at your destination.

These can be found on the specific country pages that are listed on the UK Government Foreign Travel Advice page, which often also provide links to information provided by Governments around the world.

A further source of information are the embassies of the country or countries you will be visiting - again the FCO provide a list of Foreign Embassies in the UK which provides both email and phone numbers.

This is important as some countries are enforcing isolation periods for those arriving in their countries, which could severely affect your ability to undertake either your essential business or to return home at the end of your stay.

What is Essential Travel?

The Foreign Office say only you can decide whether any travel is essential. Obviously leisure travel is out and any business travel that can be postponed should be too. The general consensus is that if your trip is one that cannot be delayed then it is probably essential.

Examples might be medical personnel going to work abroad, a mechanic travelling to repair a plane or lorry that is carrying vital supplies, or possibly a close relative travelling to visit a family member who is critically ill.

However your situation may be one that you feel is essential - if it is we would highly recommend you check this with the authorities of the country you are visiting and also check with your travel insurer to see if they will cover you.

Travel Insurance and Essential Travel

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to whether essential travel is covered by your travel insurance, when the Foreign Office are recommending that all but such trips are unadvised.

Therefore you have Travel Insurance in place now contact your insurer and check whether you would be covered for an essential trip, and checking that they would agree with your assessment that your trip is indeed.essential.

Some insurers will not cover anyone travelling to countries where an ‘all but essential travel’ notice in place, regardless of the reason. Others will.

We are not aware of any insurer who would cover cancellation costs resulting from a Covid related issue (whether that's because you are unwell, or because of travel disruption that are deemed to be Coronavirus related

A number of insurers are not currently issuing single trip policies with a start date in the near future, but are offering annual policies.

Image courtesy of: Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

This content was last reviewed on 27/04/2020