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Tier 4 travel: Full legal wording now published, in force from 7am Sunday

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The Government has published the Statutory Instrument which pushed the Tier 4 regulations into UK law at 7am on Sunday.

The full legal text is here. As usual, you should ignore anything said by any Government representative yesterday and focus purely on what is written.

Tier 4 travel: Full legal wording now published

It is as I expected, because it is the same structure as used in November. There is no ban on travel per se for anyone living in Tier 4. There IS a ban on leaving your house, however, and so travelling the airport would be in breach of this unless it meets one of the exceptions.

As usual, you are allowed to travel abroad if you are planning to visit an estate agent or show home or view a residential property for sale or rent.

Unless you are planning to look at houses whilst away, you should have left your home in Tier 4 before 7am this morning.

Hotels in Tier 4 areas are allowed to remain open if they wish. Guests must be travelling for work or for one of the other reasons stated, such as moving house or to attend a medical appointment.

The regulations do not discuss travelling to/from Tier 4 areas to fly from Heathrow, Luton or London City (which are in Tier 4) but this is presumably covered in the earlier legislation to which this is an amendment. Gatwick is not in Tier 4.

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General

Comments (223)

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

  • Hostime says:
    20 Dec20 December 17:07

    Very disappointed by how Head for Points is advocating for people not to comply with the spirit of the law and is encouraging people to leave homes and to spread a contagious disease. We will never get Covid under control with this behaviour.

    • Tarmohamed says:
      20 Dec20 December 19:25

      Nothing illegal. It’s what the statutory instrument allows.

      • Jake says:
        20 Dec20 December 19:44

        Totally missing the point…..

      • Chrisasaurus says:
        20 Dec20 December 22:07

        Might want to re read the post you’re replying to since that was the exact point being made.

        The spirit of the law is perfectly clear and the reason for it doubly so.

        • TGLoyalty says:
          20 Dec20 December 23:42

          If the spirit of the law is clear why doesn’t the law spell it out?

          • Jake says:
            21 Dec21 December 00:32

            The law needs to spell it out that it’s wrong to lie through your teeth about the reason why you are going abroad? Just because it might not be checked, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been spelled out for you.

          • TGLoyalty says:
            21 Dec21 December 01:03

            But what are the lying about if there’s no law against something …

    • James says:
      20 Dec20 December 20:15

      +1

  • C says:
    20 Dec20 December 17:19

    I flew back home (Italy) last week for Christmas and I should be coming back to London on the 29th (I live and go to university in London). Will I be allowed to come back?

    • The real John says:
      20 Dec20 December 18:47

      Ask the Italian government. Currently it sounds like no unless you can drive all the way (or something like fly to France and drive)

    • Margaret says:
      20 Dec20 December 20:16

      Yes, as long as you can leave Italy you can travel for educational purposes within the UK, though will need to quarantine/test. My daughter is currently halfway between Edinburgh and City airport returning from uni, despite no travel currently allowed out of Scotland and London being Level 4 with none in or out. She’s come from St Andrews, who were very strict in freshers week and only 107 students out of a population of 10,000+ have tested positive in total from 1/9 – 17/12 (14 weeks). In my London borough 1086 people tested positive last week alone!

  • M R Bennett says:
    20 Dec20 December 18:31

    Life is for living, we all die at some point and my view is carry on as normal. OK let the old and vulnerable shelter and take care but as for the rest get out there.

    As for protect the NHS, I have paid fortunes in taxes and I mistakenly believed the NHS was in place to protect me and others. As for these amazing NHS workers they are doing a job like most people. What is it with the recent practice of clapping, I thought we lived in UK not Korea!

    This is natures way of ridding itself of excess population, recall the story of King Canute, we cant halt nature. Do we have a vaccine for Hurricanes, Tornadoes or tsunamis??

    We just have to organize an efficient way of disposing of the dead and by the way if that includes me, so be it.

    As they said during Black Death “Bring out your dead”

    • Jonathan says:
      20 Dec20 December 18:55

      As someone who works as a doctor in the NHS, I’m not asking you to protect me as an individual, I’ll still go to work no matter what.

      Unfortunately your “fortune in taxes” has not been enough to fund redundant capacity & excess staff to cope with surges in admissions of extremely sick individuals of all ages due to a contagious disease. I’ve seen numerous individuals under the age of 60 (hardly considered old these days) die of Covid including a previously fit & well 30 something this week.

      Talking to colleagues in London, ITU admissions have ballooned in the last 3-4 days, they genuinely feel we’re heading for a situation equal to or worse than April/May. When the system is overwhelmed it’s not just the old & weak that die.

      There’s a vaccine being rolled out now, there is an end in site within the next 3 months but I’m sure whatever social or travel arrangements you have in place in that period are more important…

      Just because you didn’t cough directly in the face of a victim who’s died well before their time it doesn’t mean your actions haven’t contributed to their demise.

      • Bill says:
        20 Dec20 December 19:03

        I wish you and your colleagues well. All the best Jonathan

      • Lux says:
        20 Dec20 December 21:34

        @Jonathan – thank you for what you are doing at this terrible time

        @Rob – I appreciate that the law can be read in a certain, absolute way. I sit as a Magistrate and see the prosecution and defence offer their interpretations of behaviour on a regular basis. As a long, long time reader of the site I’m concerned about how your comments may be read. We all have our own ethics and know where our line would be drawn. I would welcome an editorial comment on whether you think the *deliberate* exploitation of exclusions in the law is right, in the current circumstances. You have created a powerful and respected profile among travellers through your own hard work. I’d suggest you have the authority and, perhaps, responsibility to make a comment. Otherwise we’ll be left with our own interpretation of the evidence. Sincerely, thank you Rob.

        • M R Bennett says:
          20 Dec20 December 21:50

          Really a magistrate, lay or stipendiary? For those not in the know a lay magistrate could be an ordinary tradesman. A stipendiary magistrate is legally qualified and sits alone. Lux are you legally qualified or talking BS?

        • M R Bennett says:
          21 Dec21 December 08:43

          Answer the question are you a solicitor barrister? The Lord Chancellor does not appoint magistrates. He does have the powers to remove them!

      • Andrew says:
        21 Dec21 December 12:03

        Is there an end in sight though? If there was I don’t think there’d be a problem with compliance. How hard would it be to say “we expect all 50+ year olds to be vaccinated by March, we’ll then open up gradually over a few months and if all goes well there’ll be no more restrictions by June”? I’d be willing to put up with tier 4 if that was the message. Instead government advisors have told us we’ll still be wearing masks into 2022. If the vaccine isn’t going to save us then better to know sooner rather than later and just let people get on with life.

    • James says:
      20 Dec20 December 20:16

      What a deeply unpleasant person you are, Mr Bennett

      • M R Bennett says:
        20 Dec20 December 21:31

        No just realistic

      • Wes says:
        20 Dec20 December 22:28

        Not really mate, everyone is entitled to an opinion..
        Unpleasant is the way the uk citizens have been treated over the last 3 years, has everyone forgotten Brexit?
        His points are actually valid from the perspective of his own free opinion.

        Before you say that people are unpleasant maybe think about how you have lived for the years of your age and what you could of done differently in that time.
        We all are unfortunately the product of our environment.

        Last of all, if you took some time to read into the coronavirus and perhaps it possible origin which is dated well before this outbreak maybe you could share a view on that..
        What, in my opinion is very sad is that this has been expected so why have the uk government been cutting the nhs capacity for 15 years and not bolstered the services and equipment instead.
        With that in Mind and as sad as it is for others maybe the view of Mr Bennett is warranted.

      • Lee says:
        20 Dec20 December 22:32

        The readers are ever so lucky to have your “in the know” commentary and worldly views on all matters, Mr Bennett. Calling BS on others?… Pharisaical moron

    • BuildTheWall says:
      20 Dec20 December 21:35

      ‘Let the old and vulnerable shelter’. Try suggesting one practical fool-proof way to shield all the elderly and vulnerable in the country from any contact with others.

      • M R Bennett says:
        20 Dec20 December 21:51

        Stay at home and don’t go out, why should the vast majority suffer!

      • Andrew says:
        21 Dec21 December 11:56

        So asking the elderly and vulnerable to stay at home is impossible but asking everyone to stay at home is absolutely fine?

    • Anonymous says:
      22 Dec22 December 02:07

      Wow, you must hate your life. Really wish you’re the next one to ‘bring out your dead’, the world needs fewer people like you ‘getting out there’ spreading the virus. What an irresponsible guy.

      • M R Bennett says:
        24 Dec24 December 09:51

        Anonymous what are you scared of? Why hide under the banner of anonymity, have the balls to put your name to your opinions!

  • Bruski says:
    20 Dec20 December 19:03

    Slow clap. We do protect our cities against hurricanes and tsunamis and earthquakes and floods. We don’t just let nature kill everyone it pleases. If you get hurt in accident you go to hospital you don’t just wait and see if nature has chosen you. Appreciating the NHS is common decency when our government refuses to pay them adequately. No one forces you to clap like (you mean North Korea by the way) So you go live your life but maybe keep your ideas to yourself you absolute pebble.

    • M R Bennett says:
      20 Dec20 December 21:36

      As far as I was aware this hopefully still is a Free country and I shall air my views where and how I please. As far as Korea / North Korea it is an Asian practice, not in keeping with traditional British norms. Something similar to certain nationalities clapping when an aircraft lands. In short cultural differences.

    • mradey says:
      21 Dec21 December 07:10

      ROFL

  • Olly says:
    20 Dec20 December 19:51

    So this is my tuppenceworth …… the obvious, and perhaps not so.
    Covid is highly contagious, even more so is the latest variant, and can be passed to others in a community very quickly, unlike other illness such as cancer, heart disease, and other natural causes of death. We recognise the Government is not going to have any strategy that will completely irradicate it and the restrictions are in place to minimise the spread of Covid.
    The scientists advise the Government on trends in locations and the anticipated effects on communities in 10 – 14 days from the results obtained from mass testing. The clinicians making the projections do not want anybody to die and will usually recommend a complete lockdown. The Government have to balance saving lives with keeping a country “ticking along as best it can on one of four cylinders”. If people can work from home that will reduce the likelyhood of spreading the disease but we know that that cannot be the case for many. For those people who cannot work from home and have school-aged children, teachers are required to look after them. Teachers do not have built in immunity to Covid so reducing interactions in the community reduce the harm to them. The children might be unlikely to suffer hospitalisation or worse but not so for teachers, caretakers, dinner ladies and cleaners etc. There is the argument of the vulnerable should shield themselves and let society carry on. What, like the Swedes tried… and failed. Or have a complete and utter lockdown like the Spanish and Italians have done…. and failed. The Government have all this information and are “damned if they don’t, damned if they do” However, by minimising people’s interactions and reducing the spread, those vulnerable people are less likely to require NHS treatment, allowing it to help non-Covid patients who need treatment by not re-deploying staff………

    • Olly says:
      20 Dec20 December 19:52

      ………. The latest thing going around is Long Covid and the long-lasting damage it is doing, especially to non-vulnerable victims not hospitalised. The young and healthy may find that contracting it and the Long Covid effects is not so welcoming as their apparent care-free attitude might belie.
      If we had a compliant society willing to put themselves out “for the greater good” then laws would not be required however it seems a lot of society, apparently quite a few on HfP, are self-obsessed and do not wish to comply with what is asked from them so we need laws. Unfortunately, it seems HfP have a few who usually use their skills at loop-holing credit card, hotel and airline promos are putting those skills to look at the letter, rather than the spirit of the law regarding Covid. No law is perfect and loop-holes get closed eventually but only through years of going through the Courts and back to the Commons to have them closed. These people are missing the point and taking the thrill of the chase over The Greater Good. We seem to have lost that original pulling together, good old fashioned British Stiff upper lip and need to get it back.

      @M R Bennett… do you intend to come across as Feckless?

      • Margaret says:
        20 Dec20 December 20:22

        +1….. and I’m in my third week after 2 A&E trips which showed ground glass effect/ covid lungs, 2 trips to the doctor, and currently dizzy with tinnitus, which is likely permanent, with gastrointestinal and kidney issues. My 17 year old is in week 4 with chest pains and palpitations and my husband has no appetite, aches and finds it harder to sleep. They recently realised that many, many people who don’t have long covid may still be unwell for months (long covid starts on the 4th month).

    • @mkcol says:
      20 Dec20 December 21:25

      TLDR

      • Olly says:
        20 Dec20 December 21:31

        @@mkcol, in summary, to coin a phrase of Mr Spock…. “The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few”

        • M R Bennett says:
          20 Dec20 December 21:54

          Exactly my point the few should shelter and the many can catty on as normal.

          • Jake says:
            20 Dec20 December 22:02

            Except the ‘many’ are responsible for caring for the ‘few’, and if the many all have it, therefore so will the few, shelter or no shelter.

          • Olly says:
            20 Dec20 December 22:23

            Nice try MRB but that is not what my point is. I say the needs of society is far more important than the few self-obsessed, selfish few who think the rules do not apply to them. The essence of comminuty being needed, not anarchy.

          • M R Bennett needs to grow up says:
            22 Dec22 December 02:16

            Couldn’t agree more with Olly. MRB is the typical selfish, arrogant people that prioritise his own needs over others. Yes it’s frustrating that you’re young and healthy and have to stay home. But the whole point of this is that stay put now and we all get over and be done with the virus.

            Getting out right now to party and have fun is only going to spread the virus and prolong everybody’s suffering, yourself included. Do you understand? Can you keep your impulse together for the greater good? This is not about the vulnerable and elderlies, don’t put the blame on them. THIS IS ABOUT YOU, ME, AND EVERYONE ELSE.

  • John says:
    20 Dec20 December 22:10

    Fascinating that the elderly who have been priority zero for both “left” and “right” governments suddenly need to preserved at whatever cost. Where was all this cash when they died of loneliness in a cold bed not being able to pay the leccy or gas to keep them warm.

    ONS death figures are fascinating stats…

    • M R Bennett says:
      21 Dec21 December 08:37

      Spot on John. Governments of all colours (can I use that word!) have never cared about the aged in society. The more pensioners that die the better for the treasury. Simples.

    • Number9 says:
      21 Dec21 December 09:55

      Spot on it makes me so cross protect the elderly blah blah and I’m fighting for adequate help to care for my Mum in the last days/weeks of her life do she can die at home with me and the family with a little dignity.It’s a bloody disgrace don’t tell me the government care for the sick and elderly cos they don’t give a crap.

  • Nick says:
    21 Dec21 December 10:44

    Can someone contact me when this returns to being a travel and points forum, rather than people venting their spleen, finding ways “around” legislation which is designed like or loathe it, to keep us all safe and well. Its akin to Facebook at the Moment.

  • Dominic says:
    21 Dec21 December 10:56

    “As usual, you should ignore anything said by any Government representative yesterday and focus purely on what is written.”

    Not sure why so many people are annoyed by this line; Rob isn’t wrong in saying this. Govt reps are continuously saying things that don’t follow any policy line; you have to listen to the written guidance.

    It was only a couple of weeks back we had the scotch egg debacle – Ministers couldn’t even agree on that in public!

    • Nick says:
      21 Dec21 December 11:43

      Listen to written guidance?
      I doubt most, including Ministers, unless legally qualified, know what constitutes a ‘substantial meal’ in law anyway.

      • Dominic says:
        21 Dec21 December 11:45

        Pedant, springs to mind, Nick! You know what I meant (even if, in fairness, I did write it in a rather bizarre fashion!).

        Not sure if agreeing or disagreeing, though, from what you’ve written.

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