Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic update

Following the global spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries implemented strict entry restrictions and, in some cases, closed their borders to non-residents. These measures had a significant impact on international travel and on 17 March 2020, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advised British nationals against all but essential international travel.

As the initial peak of the pandemic has passed in some countries, resumption of international travel is being considered, however the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes the illness COVID-19, remains in many countries, as well as potential exposure when transiting through countries. The fitfortravel (for the general public) and the TRAVAX (for health professionals) country pages will be updated over the coming days to include a COVID-19 country specific risk-rating, with every country being identified as high, moderate or low risk and each rating accompanied with appropriate travel advice. This information will be listed in the ‘Alerts’ section on each country page of fitfortravel and the 'Emerging Health Risks' section of every TRAVAX country page. The risk-rating is based on a robust public health assessment of the COVID-19 risks for travellers to each country, and will be regularly reviewed. However, as the global spread of COVID-19 can change at any time, travellers are advised to consider the advice below before planning international travel.

Advice for travellers

Before planning and/or booking international travel, please check:

• the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for country specific Travel Advisory Notices regarding travel and entry restrictions, and review the local medical care available at your destination 
• the COVID-19 risk-rating at your destination, which will be listed in the ‘Alerts’ section of all fitfortravel country pages and the ‘Emerging Health Risks’ section of all TRAVAX country pages
• the TRAVAX travel insurance page, as such insurance should be considered essential 
• the UK Border Control website, in order to check current rules regarding self-isolation (quarantine) before your planned return to the UK 
• physical distancing and hygiene measures in the country you are visiting

Further information, including measures to take before, during and after travel to reduce your risk of exposure, is available for the general public on the fitfortravel COVID-19 health considerations for travel page. 

Information relating to travel and COVID-19 is available on the TRAVAX (for healthcare practitioners) and fitfortravel (for the general public) websites.

Information on COVID-19 for the general public is available on the NHS Inform (Scotland) and the NHS.UK (rest of the UK) websites.

Information and resources on COVID-19 for health professionals is available on the Health Protection Scotland (HPS) (Scotland) and Public Health England (PHE) (rest of the UK) websites. 

Source: TRAVAX, 2 July 2020