Coronavirus Update 21st December 2020

After yesterday’s announcements there is not a lot that is new and we are still waiting for the updated Primary guidance for the Visitor economy. There also seems to be an anomaly in the Tier 2 guidance where the travel section both tells people that they should stay local and also that families can still undertake holidays in Tier 2 areas. This might be a mistake and DCMS is checking with the Cabinet Office.

• Amended Guidance for Restaurants and Pubs

The Primary Guidance for Restaurants and pubs has been updated with a new section on Tier 4 restrictions. One of the core parts of this is:

Staying away from home overnight

You cannot leave your home or the place where you are living for holidays or stays overnight away from your main home unless you have a reasonable excuse for doing so. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed. This includes staying in a second home or caravan, if that is not your primary residence, or staying with anyone you do not live with (other than those with whom you have formed a support bubble)

If you are already on holiday in a Tier 4 area, you should return to your home as soon as practical

Guest accommodation providers such as hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks may remain open for the specific reasons set out in law, including where guests are unable to return to their main residence, use that guest accommodation as their main residence, need accommodation while moving house, are self-isolating as required by law, or would otherwise be made homeless as a result of the accommodation closing. Accommodation providers are also encouraged to work cooperatively with Local Authorities to provide accommodation to vulnerable groups including the homeless in Tier 4 areas.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home#businesses-and-venues

• Cruise Travel Guidance

The guidance for people looking to undertake a cruise has been updated to say that the FCO advises against cruise ship travel and people in Tier 4 areas are not permitted to travel abroad for leisure reasons.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel