With the UK being under covid-19 lockdown restrictions for the best part of 2020, it’s a wonder that any of us got to travel and explore the UK on a Covid-19 safe UK staycation.
I had so many plans and places that I wanted to visit with my family. I really wanted to take some city breaks to London, Oxford and Liverpool. The furthest I managed to go in 2020 was Manchester, on a day trip to meet up with some friends.
2020 has thrown many travel plans into disarray and with 2020 now coming to an end, it’s likely that many of our travel plans will have to wait until 2021.
I’m really hoping that 2021 is going to be so much more different than in 2020. That we will be able to travel within the UK and be able to plan a Covid Safe UK Staycation. Planning A Covid Safe UK Staycation is going to take a little more time and consideration.
Embracing The ‘New’ Normal
As we all know, our daily lives have literally been turned upside down in 2020 due to the outbreak of Covid-19. I am hopeful that circumstances are going to be a little bit different in 2021 as we embrace and adapt to our ‘new’ normal that is life and travel in the middle of a global pandemic.
Check National And Local Restrictions
To ensure it’s safe to travel within the UK you firstly need to make sure you know what the local and national Covid-19 restrictions are. Which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
As the UK has been using a ‘tier system’ to identify covid-19 restrictions dependant on the area. Visit England have put together a fantastic resource Know Before You Go Map which can be found at https://www.visitengland.com/know-before-you-go-map
With different locations across England having different restrictions based on the tier system. When the time comes to your time to travel, it’s best to check out Know Before You Go map and local websites to see which locations are ready to welcome you before starting your journey. You can find the most up-to-date information on what’s open in cities, towns, counties and regions around England during covid-19 restrictions.
Making It Safe To Travel
The UK government has put together ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers’ guidance which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers This guidance outlines ‘Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak.’
Download The Test And Trace App
The new NHS COVID-19 app, now available to download in England and Wales, is the fastest way to see if you’re at risk from coronavirus. The faster you know, the quicker you can alert and protect your loved ones and community.
The app has a number of tools to protect you, including contact tracing, local area alerts and venue check-in. It uses proven technology from Apple and Google
Visit https://covid19.nhs.uk/ to download the app.
Good To Go
VisitEngland, along with the other tourist organisations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the UK government, has launched a new industry standard mark as a way of supporting tourism businesses and providing reassurance to visitors. The industry standard is a way of letting you know which businesses have made necessary changes to their day-to-day workings, including social distancing measures and staff training.
Keep an eye out for the mark when planning your trip online.
Other Things To Consider
Before You Travel
- Do you need to pre-book tickets or can you just turn up?
- How do you book tickets? What happens if you turn up without a ticket?
- Have the opening hours changed?
- Are food and drinks being serving food?
- Which businesses are open in the area you are planning to visit?
- Capacity – are you limiting the number of people allowed inside your venue at any one time? Is there a queuing system in place? If some areas are going to be busy can you suggest alternatives nearby?
- Are you offering additional hand washing facilities? Are toilet facilities available?
- Car parking – is car parking available? Does it need to be booked in advance?
What to take with you
- a face covering – for longer journeys, take more than one face covering and a plastic bag for used face coverings
- a plan for the journey
- tickets, contactless payment card or pass
- phone, if needed for travel updates, tickets, contactless payments and Test and trace app.
- hand sanitiser
- essential medicines
- tissues
Most Importantly
There are three simple actions we must all do to keep on protecting each other
- Wash hands – keep washing your hands regularly
- Cover face – wear a face-covering in enclosed spaces
- Make space -stay at least 2 metres apart – or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions
Are You Planning Any Covid Safe UK Staycations in 2021? Let Me Know Your 2021 Travel Plans Below.
PIN ME FOR LATER
In collaboration with Hotels.com, but all views are my own.
