[title]
Things aren’t going well for the UK right now. First London was put into the new, more serious Tier 4 measures (along with several surrounding areas) due to the spread of a new, more infectious viral strain. Then, starting on Sunday December 20, several countries started to ban travel from the UK in its entirety to avoid importing the new variety. Around 60 countries have now banned or severely restricted arrivals from the UK: see the full list below.
Although countries had already imposed a quarantine on arrivals from the UK, and British residents are discouraged or banned from non-essential travel under the latest rules, the total suspension of flights also affects essential journeys, business travel and other trips that were previously still allowed under UK and local restrictions.
And with many UK citizens already concerned about travel in Europe after Brexit from January 1, the latest flight suspensions (and the possibility they may be extended past early January) are a further worry for anyone who was hoping to escape the UK for some winter sun – or a Christmas reunion with friends or relatives overseas.
Here is the latest list of countries currently not allowing travel from the UK:
Europe
- Austria
- Belgium: flights and Eurostar trains are suspended for an initial period of 24 hours on December 21, which could be extended to ‘one to two weeks’
- Bulgaria: ban to last until at least January 31
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark: ban to last until at least December 23
- Estonia: ban to last until at least December 31
- Finland: ban to last until at least until at least January 4
- Germany: ban to last until at least December 31; also banning flights from South Africa
- Gibraltar
- Hungary
- Ireland: ban (on flights only) to last until at least December 22
- Italy: ban to last until at least January 6; Italian residents are exempt
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Netherlands: ban (including ferries) to last until at least January 1
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal: Portuguese residents are exempt but must test negative
- Romania: ban to last until at least January 4
- Russia: ban to last until at least January 5
- Slovakia
- Spain: ban from December 22; Spanish citizens and residents are exempt
- Sweden: ban to last until at least December 24; also banning travel from Denmark. Swedish citizens are exempt
- Switzerland: also banning travel from South Africa
- Turkey: also banning travel from Denmark and the Netherlands
France had previously suspended travel but has now reopened its borders to the UK for essential travel, with a new testing regime. Greece has not suspended flights but has introduced stricter quarantine measures for UK passengers.
Outside Europe
- Argentina
- Canada: ban to last until December 24
- Chile
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Hong Kong
- Grenada
- India
- Iran: ban to last until at least January 3
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jamaica: ban to last until at least January 4
- Jordan: ban to last until at least January 3
- Kuwait: all international flights suspended
- Morocco
- Mauritius
- Oman: all international flights suspended for at least a week
- Pakistan: ban to last until at least December 29
- Panama
- Peru: all travellers from Europe banned
- Philippines: ban from December 24 to 31
- Saudi Arabia: all international flights suspended for at least a week
- Singapore
- Sudan: ban to last until at least January 10; also banning travellers from the Netherlands and South Africa
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Tunisia: also banning travellers from Australia and South Africa
- Uzbekistan
The USA and the Philippines are also reportedly considering introducing a flight ban on the UK, and at least one airline has stepped up restrictions on who can fly.
We’ll keep updating this story with the latest information, so check back soon.
Where can I travel right now? Here’s what you need to know.