Does your job role qualify for travel exemptions? Here’s how to travel safely
The type of professional role you have may qualify you for travel exemptions. Of course, it is essential to research in advance and see whether this applies to you before planning travel.
Below, we’ve given an overview of the roles that may be part of these travel exemptions and useful tips on travelling safely. We’ll also give an insight into the current COVID-19 procedures to ensure safe travelling where necessary.
Is your profession exempt from UK travel restrictions?
First and foremost, let’s take a look at which jobs in the UK qualify for travel exemptions. As per the gov.uk guidance set out, to travel you must:
- Take a COVID-19 test
- Fill in a passenger locator form.
And, upon arrival, you must:
- Quarantine for ten days (certain private tests such as Test to Release may allow you to reduce your isolation length)
- Take a covid-19 test on the 2nd and 8th day of this period.
As per the information published on the website, certain professions are exempt from such rules. If you have one of the following jobs this could apply to you, you can find the full list over on the Gov.UK website.
- Aerospace Engineer
- Aircraft Pilots and Aircraft Crew
- BBC Broadcasting Transmission Network
- Border Security
- Bus and Coach Drivers
- Channel Tunnel Workers
- Civil Aviation
- Clinical Trials
- Crown Servants
- Data Infrastructure
- Defence Personnel
- Diplomatic Missions
- Drivers of Goods Vehicles
- Elite Sportspersons
- Environmental Agencies
- IT and Telecoms
- Medical
- Nuclear Emergency
- Postal Workers
- Technical Workers.
How to travel safely during COVID-19
If you must travel as part of your profession, it is important to ensure that you do so safely and responsibly.
1. Check your travel insurance
Check with your employer that you will be covered with valid health insurance should you fall ill. If your employer does not provide insurance or is self-employed, carry out insurance to cover treatment if needed while abroad.
2. Stay in a COVID-friendly hotel
When choosing where to stay while travelling for work, make sure the hotel is COVID-friendly. Many hotels are putting in huge amounts of effort to up their sanitising procedures. Most also offer drop-off food services for guests to limit social contact to a minimum.
3. Pay attention to the local rules
It is really important to abide by the country’s COVID rules wherever you are travelling. This will include social distancing measures, wearing a mask, and limiting the amount of time you spend out and about. Carry out a bit of research in advance to learn about the destination’s coronavirus rating and the laws before travelling.
4. Check the local coronavirus rate ahead of travel
To reiterate, you should have an idea of the virus rates for where you are travelling to. You will then determine the likeliness of contracting COVID-19 and how best to minimise your risk. If you are thinking about travelling to a destination for work with a very high rating, assess whether it is truly necessary or worth the risk to your health, or vulnerable people around you.
5. Only travel if you really need to
Finally, remember that you should not put your health at risk under any circumstances. Even in the case of work, it is a good idea to put your wellbeing first. If you are travelling to a place of work abroad and can be sure that the trip is safe, of course, go ahead, but otherwise – think twice!
What next?
If you’ve been instructed to travel for work, we recommend that you take each tip above into consideration. Travelling during the coronavirus pandemic is a risk and one that could have serious implications. Be sure to act responsibly and travel only if absolutely necessary.
