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Foreign Office advises against all non-essential overseas travel – full statement

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The Foreign Office has just issued a statement advising against all non-essential foreign travel for at least the next 30 days.

The full statement is below.

On the upside, it is possible that such Foreign Office guidance will allow the Government to offer financial support to UK airlines on the basis that it has caused them to ground their few remaining international flights.

You can see the original press release here.

FOREIGN OFFICE ADVISES AGAINST ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL OVERSEAS

Today the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised against all non-essential international travel, initially for a period of 30 days. This advice takes effect immediately.

This change in travel advice reflects the pace at which other countries are either closing their borders or implementing restrictive measures in response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Often there is little or no notice when countries take these steps and restrictions are also being imposed in areas where no cases of coronavirus have yet been reported. They are therefore very difficult to predict.

British people who decide that they still need to travel abroad should be fully aware of the increased risks of doing so. That includes the risk that they may not be able to get home, if travel restrictions are put in place. Anyone still considering travel to be realistic about the level of disruption they are willing and able to endure, and to make decisions in light of the unprecedented conditions we face.

We are not currently advising British people to immediately return to the UK if they are overseas, except for a few countries detailed in our travel advice. However, British people should keep in mind that flights may be cancelled at short notice or other travel restrictions may be put in place by foreign governments.

If people do want to return to the UK soon, then they need to take account of the fast moving situation and plan accordingly, while flights remain available in many places.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

“UK travellers abroad now face widespread international border restrictions and lock downs in various countries. The speed and range of those measures across other countries is unprecedented.

So I have taken the decision to advise British nationals against all non-essential international travel.”

Whether travel is essential or not is a personal decision and circumstances differ from person to person. It is for individuals themselves to make an informed decision based on the risks and FCO advice. Anyone still planning to travel should check the validity of their travel insurance.

UK inward and outward travel has already fallen by a significant amount since the outbreak of coronavirus. Ryanair, Virgin and EasyJet have cut flights by 80% this month and IAG has decreased capacity by 75%.

The UK’s extensive diplomatic network is continuing to work around the world to support British people at the greatest risk of exposure to the virus. In the last week 430 changes have been made to FCO Travel Advice – more than in the entirety of 2019.

We will continue to do everything in our power to get those British nationals affected the care, support and advice they need. We are also working urgently to ensure international governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers and, crucially, that they keep borders open for enough time to allow people to return home on commercial flights.

British nationals who become ill overseas should, in the first instance, seek care and support from the country they are in.

This guidance follows the domestic measures announced by the Prime Minister on Monday and forms part of the national effort to meet the international challenge presented by coronavirus.

Category

General

Comments (165)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Joe says:
    17 Mar17 March 13:16

    While we watch this space, I’ll await my apology from Secret Squirrel imminently.

    ;-0

    • Andy says:
      17 Mar17 March 13:20

      This “pussy cat” virus certainly isn’t a tamed beast is it…

      • George Peak says:
        17 Mar17 March 13:25

        I’m waiting to hear the 25% of routes that BA are apparently keeping open!

        I believed Joe, I suspected airlines (including BA) would be forced to ground their fleet.

        Fake news some said. Lets not go down that ‘brexit style’ road.

        Please stay safe everyone.

        • Alex Sm says:
          18 Mar18 March 22:41

          All three BA Moscow flights (DME and SVO) were going as of today for example

          • Rob says:
            19 Mar19 March 07:49

            It’s a lot more than 25%, I have the details now.

          • Lyn says:
            19 Mar19 March 19:19

            Rob, any idea when you’ll be able to share the details?

            It’s going to be hard to reschedule a cancelled flight home without some clues about what routes they might continue to operate and when.

    • Secret Squirrel says:
      17 Mar17 March 13:46

      Apologies for what?
      For you stating BA were grounding all its aircraft on Sunday which was incorrect!

      • Joe says:
        17 Mar17 March 13:49

        I didn’t say they were grounding on that specific day. I posted the comment on Sunday that BA would be grounding their fleet, yes. I have a source, they are private’ and it will remain that way.

        Don’t be daft SS, await the confirmation, then just accept you were wrong, apologise and move on.

        • Secret Squirrel says:
          17 Mar17 March 13:53

          You can have an apology if it makes you feel good about yourself.
          Lots of us still stand by that your comment on Sunday lead myself & others to believe the BA fleet was grounded already or imminently like the following day which was still incorrect.

          • Chabuddy geezy says:
            17 Mar17 March 14:12

            I’m guessing they still might run a handful repatriation and domestic flights.

          • Rob says:
            17 Mar17 March 14:33

            If there are no flights, you are going to find very empty shops within a week.

          • MrHandBaggageOnly says:
            17 Mar17 March 14:15

            +1

          • Rich says:
            17 Mar17 March 14:42

            I can’t help feeling the only way forward is a quasi nationalisation/ requisitioning of airlines.

            Once the external EU borders kick in properly, the nation states can concentrate on toning down internal border controls. Flights will still be needed for freight, including food and medical kit, as well as repatriation of nationals. Airlines have the capacity to do this, but need underwriting.

          • John says:
            17 Mar17 March 15:45

            Rob, just envisage ALL the grounded aircraft. Do you think runways and aprons will be able to function even for a few cargo flights?

  • Anthony Edwards says:
    17 Mar17 March 13:30

    Do we think this help with insurance claims for forfeited Easter holiday travels?

  • Nige67 says:
    17 Mar17 March 13:30

    Would BA continue domestic flights?

    • Joe says:
      17 Mar17 March 13:32

      My ‘private’ source says not. But please don’t act on my information.

      It’s a case of ‘watch this space’.

      • Secret Squirrel says:
        17 Mar17 March 14:14

        Vote Secret Squirrel! 😚

      • Brian W says:
        18 Mar18 March 00:17

        @Joe, in other words, your comments are fingers in the wind stuff.

        Let’s face it, you have no source and are continuing to comment due to your initial post being challenged. You’re on the back foot and can’t just admit you’re actually have as little info as the rest of us.

        I know that you have zero source and are well well out of your depth of knowledge, but I’m not going to tell you how I know that 😉.

        Comical…………

    • Anna says:
      17 Mar17 March 13:34

      I was just thinking this. HFP party in Edinburgh and/or Newquay, while staying 3 feet apart of course!

    • Dan says:
      17 Mar17 March 15:05

      This will be sad

  • Peter Taysum says:
    17 Mar17 March 13:47

    When will govt ban restaurants/pubs etc from opening? Whilst BoZo (the clown) says “I think everyone in Britain understands what we need to do…” which is clearly NOT TRUE. Govt need to take control. The idea that what’s happening in Italy/Spain won’t happen here is really scaring me. We have fewer ITU beds per 100 000 of the population than most of Europe.

    I’m getting emails from fave restaurants saying “open for business” and from a Hotel for a wedding in two weeks “open as normal”.

    • Andy says:
      17 Mar17 March 14:08

      So don’t go to pubs or restaurants? Lock yourself in at home.

      • Peter Taysum says:
        17 Mar17 March 14:15

        I’m an A&E Doctor who’s very well informed thanks. I’ll be looking after people and won’t be going anywhere else. I’ll most likely be fine, but will almost certainly get Covid 19. Young and healthy thankfully. It’s protecting the population that I care about. There’s a lot of ignorance about…

        • Olly says:
          17 Mar17 March 15:31

          You might be able to answer why Italy is still have large numbers contracting Covid-19, over 3,200 new cases in 24 hours yesterday (worldodometer.info) for a virus that has 5.1 days incubation time when the country has been in lockdown for a week?

          • Roy says:
            17 Mar17 March 15:45

            5.1 days is an average. It’s not uncommon to be up to 14 days (hence the usual 14 day quarantine). And it can be even longer than 14 days (although that’s rare). And then you’ve got additional days to wait for the condition to worsen enough to require medical attention.

            Secondly, Italy’s “lockdown” doesn’t completely isolate people from one another. Even if no one leaves their house, you still have the potential for transmission within a household.

          • ChrisBCN says:
            17 Mar17 March 16:46

            I’m on lockdown in Spain, and have just returned to my home after a trip to the supermarket, allowed within the lockdown rules. There were other people there too – lots of possible transmission. But likely less transmission than under non-lockdown rules purely due to fewer numbers of people mixing.

            Italy has similar rules.

        • Anna says:
          17 Mar17 March 16:13

          You must be thrilled that the Archbishop of Canterbury is one of the people advising the government!

          • Novice says:
            17 Mar17 March 17:24

            Funnily enough, in UK young people are freaking out more than people who are high risk category.

            Where I live, we have a lake and woods for going walking. I’ve mainly seen 60+ yrs old people walking this past week. And they were all acting normal like touching face, coughing etc.

            I’m early 30s and I admit I was way more freaked out but this might be because I’m always freaked out due to OCD lol.

            But on a serious note, from what I’ve seen old ppl are not bothered in UK.

            My granny’s answer to all this is : God will save us. 👀

          • PointsEnthusiast says:
            17 Mar17 March 17:36

            @Novice – my experience with the elderly at home and abroad during this period seems to be that they are aware of the time they have left, coronavirus or otherwise, and if they’re physically able, don’t feel particularly keen to be spending it in ‘isolation’…

          • The Savage Squirrel says:
            17 Mar17 March 19:40

            I had an 18yo cancel an appt as freaking out today (risk so small you can’t measure it). My 95yo client didn”t give a shit.

            She’s right of course; she has about a 30% chance of dying EVERY year at her age – so she’s made her peace with it. Covid19 doesn’t even change her odds that much…

  • The Original David says:
    17 Mar17 March 13:54

    I hate to be a pedant (ish…), but the FCO advising against “non-essential” travel and advising against “all” travel are two different categories. They’ve actually done the former, but both your headline and opening sentence claim the latter.

  • Simon Robinson says:
    17 Mar17 March 14:13

    I’m stuck in Lima, Peru due to Iberia flight cancellation of my flight today. This is following government closure of borders. Iberia have rerouted me (for a second time) which is now on 1st April which is technically the first available flight back to UK (via Madrid) although clearly that could change.

    I understand that under EC261 I am entitled to Hotel and Food to be covered by the airline, but on the phone Iberia refuse to discuss anything other than flight rerouting. The guy on the phone get quite defensive when I mentioned hotels and said all he can do is arrange flights.

    I have also noticed a refund on my credit card for the value of the cash element of my original flight purchase which was made with avios + cash. I have not asked for this and it has not been discussed with me.

    Comments on here have helped me enormously in my little adventure so far. If someone could advise the best course of action for me now I would be very grateful. Just to be clear, I don’t want compensation, I just want to go home when that is possible and to cover costs as far as possible while I am ‘locked-down’ here in Peru…

    • Joe says:
      17 Mar17 March 14:27

      Oh man. I’m sorry to hear. Do your best to stay calm & keep eating/breathing! Concentrate on getting home (somehow) – lines will be hectic so just proceed and worry about cost/refund once home. Exceptional circumstances dictate.

      Others will advise too, so do stay in contact and we will help where we can. Flyertalk also, may be useful for routing options? Create an account if you have got one already.

    • marcw says:
      17 Mar17 March 14:33

      Get the f*ck out os South America at the earliest opportunity, even if it means by your own means. IB is not allowed to operate to Peru, so it’s in effect force majeure – also IB, as an airline of Spain is currently operating under the “state of alarm” flag of the Spanish state.

      • Brasov says:
        17 Mar17 March 15:13

        Why? isn’t it easier to self-isolate in a remote area in South America than Europe?

        • marcw says:
          17 Mar17 March 15:50

          It really depends. It could be that in 5 days there are no more flights between SouthAmerica and Europe at all… or between US and Europe. If you can afford to be until the end of April-mid May somewhere, then yeah… but not if you need to return.

    • AJA says:
      17 Mar17 March 15:43

      Simon How long have you been in Peru? Is it possible you can fly via Canada? Not sure if you would be barred from entering there. If you can, Air Canada has a flight on Sunday Lima (LIM) to London (LHR) — Sun, Mar 22 for £479 in economy

      Lima (LIM) to Toronto (YYZ) — Sun, Mar 22 Air Canada 1947 Dep: 4:30 am Arr: 1:25 pm 7h 55m
      Layover in YYZ 6h 5m
      Toronto (YYZ) to London (LHR) — Sun, Mar 22 Air Canada 856 Dep: 7:30 pm Arr: 6:30 am 7h 0m
      Economy (T)

      It might also be worthwhile contacting the British Embassy in Lima to let them know you’re currently stuck there until 1 April just in case the FCO changes their advice to get home ASAP.

      British Embassy Lima
      Torre Parque Mar (22nd Floor)
      Avenida José Larco 1301
      Miraflores

      Embassy opening hours:08:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 16:30 (Monday to Thursday) 08:00 – 13:00 (Friday) Tel +51 1 617 3000

      • Simon Robinson says:
        18 Mar18 March 01:04

        All borders are closed and flights are cancelled until 1st April. So there are no flights whatsoever internal or international with police guarding the closed airport in Lima. So it looks like I am stuck here until then, hence the question about hotel costs…

        I did contact the embassy, but they basically just said I need to follow the local instruction regarding the lock-down which is to stay indoors and only go out to either supermarket or chemists.

        • Joe says:
          18 Mar18 March 03:03

          Holy Moly. Do you have support out there Simon, anyone at all?
          Definitely keep all receipts. Don’t feel you have to slum it or continually eat low budget food.
          What insurance do you have?
          Keep calm and think straight. Personally I’d pressure the authorities to get you home. (Is your employer/family awaiting your return?)
          Let us know if we can do anything here.
          Create a Twitter handle – and keep a VLOG.
          HFP/Rob – c’mon this guy needs help, lets try & assist him!

        • meta says:
          18 Mar18 March 12:52

          That’s so terrible to hear. Can you afford to stay until 1st April or maybe beyond? Do you have insurance? What are they saying?

        • Simon Robinson says:
          18 Mar18 March 15:04

          Thanks for the comments. I wish the authorities demonstrated a similar amount of sympathy!

          My insurance company (AXA via curve metal) say that support is beyond the remit of the policy and the airline should cover hotel and food expenses. The airline (iberia) are having none of that saying that as it’s not their fault the flights have been cancelled EC261 will not apply – that is also the view I have received from FlyerTalk.

          My other concern is that in 5 days time the term on my travel insurance for maximum amount of time for a single trip expires leaving me uninsured. Not an ideal situation during a pandemic!

          I have written to my local MP following advice on here, so will see what happens.

          In terms of food and shelter. I am fine. It’s just not knowing how/when I will get home that is the concern. I guess there are lots of other people in my situation over here, so hopefully the government and BA will look into rescue flights once the Peruvian border are lifted on 1st April if there are no flights home.

          Iberia have re-scheduled me on a flight to Madrid on 1st April, which will not happen as all flights to EU counties to and from Peru are banned. They are very defensive when ever you eventually get through to them, I guess they are dealing with stressed customers 24/7.

    • ChrisBCN says:
      17 Mar17 March 16:49

      Keep your receipts for reasonable food and hotel expenses in case you can claim under EU261 or insurance.

      • Simon Robinson says:
        18 Mar18 March 01:11

        I will do so, but the response I have received from FlyerTalk is that I have very little chance that I can invoke EC261 in this case as the virus and the closure of LIM are beyond control of Iberia.

    • Anna says:
      17 Mar17 March 17:01

      Simon – Emily Thornberry is currently on the news talking about stranded Brits in Peru. Apparently the country is now on lockdown for 15 days and the British Embassy has announced it is closing down as well – unbelievable!
      Might be worth looking on the BBC website if you can get on it to see if there are any updates. Post us an update yourself tomorrow or something and we can let you know if there’s any more info. Good luck.

      • Anna says:
        17 Mar17 March 17:06

        Also try emailing your MP if possible, I think Thornberry had been in touch with one of her constituents in Peru (can’t stand her personally but my ears pricked up when she said “stranded in Peru”).

        • Andy says:
          17 Mar17 March 18:34

          That makes two of us…loathe her but at least she is trying to help one of her constituents

        • Simon Robinson says:
          18 Mar18 March 01:13

          That’s a good idea about contacting my MP. I will give that a go…. Many thanks

      • Alex Sm says:
        18 Mar18 March 22:50

        There are so many people in similar situations around the world, just a few examples:
        – A Polish colleague stuck in Chile, Air France doesn’t care
        – 52 Ukrainians stuck on the Czech border not allowed to leave the country to go home
        – Lots of Russians are stranded in Europe with Schengen visas expiring, with no word of extensions and a real threat of future 10-year ban for visaviolations, the EU is in the bubble

        No information, no options, often no food and shelter
        The governments do not think about PEOPLE when they introduce these so called ‘measures’ which are not measured at all…

    • Alex Sm says:
      18 Mar18 March 22:44

      My Polish colleague is stuck in Chile, Air France flight back home on 27 March cancelled, no alternative flight offered. What to do in this situation? Who carries the duty of care obligation and how to get back home, if she doesn’t have thousands of $$$ on credit card etc.? Any options? The Polish government does not send planes to retrieve their citizens from lands that remote… And no commercial rebooking was offered. People are simply left stranded and that’s it

  • George K says:
    17 Mar17 March 14:27

    Thursday’s flight cancelled… but can’t officially apply for refund online as cancellation button takes you to the voucher screen.

    Call centre won’t even go on hold… I may try the US number. Should I wait, or keep at it?

    • Rob says:
      17 Mar17 March 14:32

      If it’s cancelled, does it matter? They owe the refund regardless. You don’t need to ring and cancel!

      • George K says:
        17 Mar17 March 14:40

        Thanks Rob. I was following the letter/spirit of the email which said to either MMB online or call. I’ll wait it out.

      • David says:
        17 Mar17 March 16:33

        How does it work if only my flight out is cancelled, but my return flight isn’t cancelled yet? What’s the best approach to take?

  • insider says:
    17 Mar17 March 14:58

    Related: I have an Iberia Plus redemption ticket booked to South America via Madrid. Obviously not a possibility now. Iberia have moved me onto a flight the next day (???) but obviously I’d rather just cancel and get the money / points back. I can’t get through to the correct Iberia department (only the Iberia Plus team can cancel for some reason). So I can’t cancel my flight for this weekend – should I just leave it an it will be automatically refunded, or do I need to proactively do something. There are no online options

    • Simon says:
      17 Mar17 March 15:22

      Call +44 20 3684 3774. Say ‘Iberia Plus’ at the voice prompt. That will get you through to the right department. They should refund you for a cost of €25.

      I’ve called them half a dozen or so times in the last few days for rerouting cancelled flights and they have offered me refunds each time. Waiting time ranged for 20mins to 4hrs. Last night at around 2am (UK time) I waited about 30mins.

    • roberto says:
      17 Mar17 March 15:24

      I cancelled my Iberia award booking very simply in 15 mins by phoning the US office on +1800 772 4642 from my mobile using skype. When I got through to the automated section ( 20 seconds or so) I used the phrase “avios booking” . I was then asked to enter my Iberia FF number and passport number into the keypad to verify my booking and spoke to someone straight away. I looked at my timer and it was 2min and 35 seconds into the call , 10 mins or so later I was sorted.

      • insider says:
        17 Mar17 March 15:37

        hmmm i tried that, but they said that their call centre was for US made bookings only and they couldn’t cancel, I would have to phone the UK number. Problem is the UK number seems to disconnect everytime

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