November 2020 international travel rules

myles0504

I have a flight booked for Saturday 7th November. Can anyone explain these new rules? I am not flying to work and don't know what "legally permitted" means?
"Developments in the coronavirus pandemic remain uncertain around the world. No travel is risk-free. If you do need to travel abroad before 2 December (and are legally permitted to do so, for example, because it is for work), even if you are returning to a place you’ve visited before, you should look at the rules in place at your destination, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and the current travel corridor list.

Caz3121

an article here - expect further clarification and a glut of cancelled flights over the next hours
https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/international-travel-ban-new-holiday-rules-uk-b1482052.html

CKhalvashi

In essence, you are allowed to travel for work or a funeral etc, but not for a holiday.

I'm going to need to travel to interview staff overseas in the next few weeks, this would be allowed, but leisure travel won't be, is the essence of the rules.

mattyprice4004

Legally permitted is exactly as it implies - if it’s for work etc it’s legal, if not then it’s illegal. 

Ben1989

Can anybody clarify my situation?

We were due to travel to USA on 16th November 2020. My wife is American so I am eligible to travel there. We are travelling strictly for family and not ‘on holiday’. We are going after self-isolating here and quarantining and getting tested over there. It’s not a holiday or business.

myles0504

We are travelling neither for work or a holiday. They have provided only one example of a legally permitted reason to travel is work but this leaves it open to other reasons for travel but they haven't stated what they are. We are not travelling for work or holiday so it is not clear if we can. Do they ask you when you are checking the reason for travel? What do you need to evidence to show your reason for travel?

bradders1983

Quite sure nobody at the airport demands your reason for travelling but I am happy to be proven wrong.

There is of course a miniscule chance you could be stopped by the police between your house and the airport.

CKhalvashi

bradders1983 said:

Quite sure nobody at the airport demands your reason for travelling but I am happy to be proven wrong.

There is of course a miniscule chance you could be stopped by the police between your house and the airport.

If you are exempt, carry paperwork stating such is my advice. I definitely will be.

sheramber

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november#meeting-with-family-and-friends

Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences will not be allowed- including holidays in the UK and abroad. This includes staying in a second home, if you own one, or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with. There are specific exceptions, for example if you need to stay away from home (including in a second home) for work purposes.

HogMan

Ben1989 said:

Can anybody clarify my situation?

We were due to travel to USA on 16th November 2020. My wife is American so I am eligible to travel there. We are travelling strictly for family and not ‘on holiday’. We are going after self-isolating here and quarantining and getting tested over there. It’s not a holiday or business.

We were in the same situation planning to travel to the USA for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately I think you will find visiting family is classified as Leisure travel and therefore not allowed. 
Our flight was cancelled a couple of weeks ago so are not longer planning to travel.

epm-84

Ben1989 said:

Can anybody clarify my situation?

We were due to travel to USA on 16th November 2020. My wife is American so I am eligible to travel there. We are travelling strictly for family and not ‘on holiday’. We are going after self-isolating here and quarantining and getting tested over there. It’s not a holiday or business.

Three things to consider:
1. Visiting family is considered non-essential with a few exceptions e.g. to visit a terminally ill relative or to attend a funeral.
2. Your wife being American is irrelevant. Lots of people ended up remaining in a country they were only visiting back in March due to lockdown restrictions being imposed while they were in the country.  Your wife doesn't get a free pass to bypass lockdown restrictions because she holds American nationality.  She's just as likely to have or be carrying COVID-19 as a British person is.
3. It's been reported the FCDO are to update their advice about non-essential travel next week and airlines are preparing to ground their planes, so unless the route you plan to fly on is a popular business route it probably won't be operating on 16th November.