Nightmare From Downing Street as England in Second Covid lockdown

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It’s Halloween and there is a nightmare on Downing Street! As we all know, 2020 has been one big horror show as it is! Just when we thought it was safe to get back in the water…or on a plane…or any form of travel transport, Covid has reared its ugly head once again! From Thursday 5th November England will join Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in enforcing a second national lockdown. So what does this mean for travel? I will try to unravel the horror story of England lock-down 2.0 for you in this article.

I’m Abroad… Do I Need To Come Home?

As it stands the answer is no, so make the most of it! As you will be returning home to England during the UK lockdown, there is every chance your flights will still run as normal. If my own experience is anything to go by, you will definitely not be the only one on that flight. Having recently travelled to Cyprus and back and expecting an empty flight….I was very much mistaken. Both flights were packed with people desperate to get out of England. So companies will still be running flight in the immediate future for those already booked.

However, what seems to be an international travel ban being implemented would mean that airlines are likely to cut back and consolidate to save money. In this instance, I would anticipate the possibility of flight changes by a day or so one way or another.

Vacation Booked To Leave Before Thursday 5th?

It looks like those who are set to travel before the England lock-down kicks in are still good to go. Letter of the law seems to indicate that 00:01 Thursday 5th November dictates the travel ban. Trips that are set to leave before this should still run unaffected and Easyjet has confirmed it will continue to run scheduled operations up to and including Wednesday 4th November. However, there is a significant chance your home flight will be affected in some way.

Under EU air passengers’ rights, you are entitled to an alternate flight home but as I said, don’t expect this to be the date you initially booked.

Vacation booked After The 5th… What now?

International borders have been opened and closed here, there and everywhere since international travel reopened. Even with the popular destinations such as the Canaries being opened up just a week ago, the 5th November seems to be the cut-off. Anything booked beyond that date will NOT be leaving. It also seems that it will be deemed illegal to do so. Refunds and rights will now seem to depend on your booking method.

Refund Rights And Travel Assistance

The simplest scenario would be that you booked a package deal with companies such as Tui and Jet2 Holidays. As they will NOT take holidaymakers abroad against the government advice, you will be entitled to a full refund within 2 weeks. I outlined details of Coronavirus assistance for travel in another blog post you can read here.

If you do as I do, and book your flights and accommodation separately, then things may be slightly different. This will now depend if the flight actually goes ahead. Many flights are now likely to have a collapse in bookings, prompting the airlines to cancel flights. Should this be the case, under European Law you are entitled to your money back within 1 week.

Other airlines may still be operating as they will still need to bring British travellers home. Airlines such as British Airlines, Ryanair and Easyjet have planned to operate 30% of their scheduled flights in November.

Are both legs of your trip still be operating? You will not be entitled to your money back as you have no legal entitlement (please don’t shoot the messenger). However, those with better customer relations such as British Airlines and Easyjet may well be offering vouchers. However, I would not hold my breath on Wizz Air or Ryanair.

Am I Covered By My Travel Insurance?

Well, this would depend on WHEN you took out your insurance policy. I personally always pay for 12 months worldwide travel insurance. Many people book insurance days before they leave. This is not ever a recommended method. As I have previously stated in other blog posts, booking travel insurance a week before you leave does not cover anything that should happen in between. So, if your travel insurance was taken out BEFORE March 2020, before the coronavirus was a ‘known event’ you may be able to claim losses. Those who took out insurance AFTER March 2020 most probably will not.

Should you need more detailed advice, please have a look at my ‘Coronavirus Advice’ article which may offer a little more insight.

England Lockdown 2.0

The headline says it all. Not all holidays would have been abroad. However, the implications still apply if you were planning a ‘stay-cation’. You will most likely be able to claim a credit note or postponement. It would be unlikely that you won’t be able to adjust your booking. That is to say, they can survive yet another blow to the industry that has already crippled them.

So can you travel here during England lock-down 2.0? Most probably is the answer, not that you would. England and the rest of the UK went into lock-down from March 2020 and the residents of said countries were ‘advised against all but essential travel’. However, this did not mean the borders were closed. Other countries have protected themselves where they thought the biggest threat would come from. New Zealand for one shutting its doors in March and yet to open them has been one of the main contributions to an amazing fight against the virus. The UK however, didn’t deem that necessary and look where we are now.

My advice to foreign travellers is to not visit at this time. The new lock-down means pubs, bars, restaurants, non-essential shops and public interest destinations are all closed. So there really isn’t much to come here for right now.

Impact On Travel Industry

This could be the straw that breaks the camels back. The industry is already on its knees. As a travel enthusiast, it pains me to be writing articles such as this. I want to be helping you get away from life’s stresses, not creating them. The industry has never been in more dire straits and its hard to see how many will get through this second lockdown. Yes, the government have said the England lockdown will be between 5th November – 2nd December. This is, however, subject to figures per area and may well continue should the number of cases cease to drop. I will be very surprised if international travel is allowed again in 2020.

It’s awful to be the bearer of bad news. I really hope that sooner rather than later, I can bring you updates on HOW to get back to travel! Let’s be honest, things couldn’t get much worse in 2020…right?

STAY SAFE EVERYONE, SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE!