Lockdown 2.0 rules on travel within England and Wales

There is no general warning against using buses, trains, trams or, in London, the Tube

Forget the Tyne: only essential travel to Newcastle and elsewhere in the UK is allowed (Simon Calder)

Until 2 December 2020, most travel within England is banned, along with overseas holidays, in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus. Wales is currently in a “firebreak lockdown,” which eases on 9 November – but from then on, international travel will still be banned for Welsh residents.

This is what we know so far.

I live in England. Am I allowed to travel?

Not in the normal sense. The instruction in the new rules is: “No person may leave or be outside of the place where they are living without reasonable excuse.” 

There are general exemptions for travelling to an education establishment, for caring responsibilities and for work where this cannot be done from home.

You can also travel for medical treatment, to go to “venues that are open” such as shops deemed to be essential retail and to exercise, if you need to make a short journey to do so.

You are legally allowed “to visit a person receiving treatment in a hospital or staying in a hospice or care home” if you are a close family member of that person. (It would not, though, be allowed if they are at home rather than in hospital, except in the unfortunate case of what is called in the legislation a “death bed visit”.)

The law does not stipulate any limit to how far you may travel to see that person, and if it requires an overnight stay that would also be legitimate. 

In case you are challenged, you may wish to keep a copy of this article and invite the official to consult the appropriate clause, which is Exception 4 (e) (ii).

Of course the nature of any visit will depend on the  hospital’s rules.

You should not travel anywhere if you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms or sharing a household or support bubble with someone who is symptomatic, or have been told to self-isolate after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Can I use public transport to make a permitted journey?

Yes. The government says: “We encourage you to walk or cycle where possible.” But there is no general warning against using buses, trains, trams or, in London, the Tube.

Will public transport run as normal?

The presumption – based on previous practice – is that a near-normal service will operate. The government advises: “Plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practise social distancing while you travel.” But with so few passengers, keeping your distance is unlikely to be a problem.

What about domestic flights?

If you are allowed to travel for one of the reasons outlined above, then you will be able to fly. However, many flights have been cancelled in response to the second lockdown; for example, easyJet has cancelled all remaining Bristol-Newcastle flights until 3 December, and will fly between Gatwick and Edinburgh only four days a week.

Can I stay away from home?

Not for fun. “Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed,” says the government. “You cannot stay in a second home, if you own one, or stay with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with.”

But there is an exemption if you need to stay away from home for work, for education or for medical treatment.

If you are in a hotel, you can be served food as room service.

Can I pick someone up from the airport?

In this case two sets of rules appear to be in conflict with one another. The government guidelines on self-isolation for arriving travellers say: “Only use public transport if you have no other option.” 

The implication: ideally, a member of the household where the traveller will be in quarantine will be able to pick them up from the airport. But this would breach the stipulation not to leave your home.

It is not clear if picking someone up counts as a "reasonable excuse". On balance, if you can make the journey to the airport and back without stopping along the way, that may reduce the chances of contracting (or spreading) coronavirus.

But from an overall risk perspective, driving is far more dangerous than travelling by train.

What are the rules for Wales, and how will they change?

At present, the “firebreak lockdown” rules are very similar to England’s lockdown regulations: travel is for essential purposes only, with holidays at home or abroad banned.

From 9 November: "People should avoid non-essential travel as much as possible. There will be no legal restrictions on travel within Wales for residents, but international travel should be for essential reasons only.”

How will the new rules be policed?

It is not clear. Previously, however, it has been assumed that people will do the right thing.