£5k fines for going on holiday - everything you need to know

A ban forbidding all foreign travel from the UK without a reasonable excuse is included in new coronavirus legislation published on Monday. 

The new laws mean that anyone trying to leave the country for a holiday would be faced with a £5,000 fine.

The rules will also mean protests will be considered a permitted exception to the ban on mass gatherings.

MPs will vote on the laws - officially titled the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021 - on Thursday.

If approved they would come into effect next Monday, 29 March. 

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The length of the travel ban is not explicit although the legislation is expected to remain in place until 30 June. 

However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested that foreign travel could be permitted as early as 17 May depending on the results of a government review of international travel. 

Can I confidently book a holiday?

New coronavirus laws include a ban on leaving the UK without a reasonable excuse (John Walton/PA)

Booking a holiday is something we can all look forward to doing, but is now really the right time?

A spokesperson for ABTA said: "“The UK Government has set out an intention for overseas travel to restart from 17 May.

"Customers can book with confidence by booking a package holiday through an ABTA Member, as that gives the holiday the greatest level of protection.

"Many ABTA Members are also offering additional flexible cancellation and rebooking policies, such as allowing customers to change their arrangements free of charge if needed. We have more tips and advice for travel at www.abta.com/bookwithconfidencetips.”

What happens if I book a holiday and it can't go ahead?

Spending money on a holiday for it just to fall through can be a financial nightmare, especially when you've saved up your hard earned cash to go somewhere nice. 

If you're worried about booking your holiday for the summer, Skyscanner have given some advice to prospective travellers:

Martin Nolan, senior director, legal and public and regulatory affairs at Skyscanner provides said: “Safety and protection for bookings continue to be the priorities for travellers, and there are a few ways travellers can protect their bookings going forward. Of course, where possible it is advisable to check any travel corridor and testing requirement agreements between your home country and the country you want to visit. "

Skyscanner have issued advice on how to book safely (Canva)

1) Purchase a 'flexible' ticket  - this could mean that you’re entitled to a free date or destination change if you need it and combining flex airfares with hotels with no cancellation fees means you’re able to adjust dates and bookings if you’re unable or unwilling to travel. 

Mr Nolan said: "Choosing these flexible options can sometimes be much cheaper than package holidays and of course, allows for a personally tailored trip. "

2) Travel insurance - Make sure to read the small print and if you can book using a credit card you will be given additional protections via your card issuer if the travel retailer cannot issue a refund. 

Mr Nolan said: “The devil is in the detail. If you’re planning on relying on insurance for a trip that you haven’t booked yet, it’s worth double checking all the terms to see what would happen if the trip were cancelled or if you decide you don’t want to go any more. 

"If it’s something you’ve already booked and you are thinking about cancelling, it is worth checking with your insurer before you cancel - it might be that deferring your trip is better value for money.”

What about a third-wave of coronavirus? 

A third-wave of coronavirus is currently making its way across Europe, with new variants being detected. 

Mr Hancock added that it was currently "too early to say" what the taskforce would decide about foreign holidays due to the third wave of infections across the continent. 

He said: "It is very important we protect the progress we've been able to make here in the UK."

What counts as a 'reasonable' excuse? 

Foreign travel for a holiday is already illegal, but the £5,000 fine is a new measure.

A £200 fixed penalty notice can already be issued to those who fail to fill in a travel declaration form, which includes personal details and reason for travel, for those leaving the UK.

Here are the 'reasonable excuses' for going abroad (Canva)

There are a number of exemptions to the ban, which are travel for:

• Work
• Study
• Legal obligations or to vote
• Moving, selling or renting property
• Childcare reasons or to be present at a birth
• Visiting a dying relative or close friend
• Attending a funeral
• Getting married or attending the wedding of a close relative
• Medical appointments
• Escaping a risk of harm

• The rules will also allow students to return home during the Easter holiday

The ban does not apply to those travelling to the common travel area of the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland - unless that is not the final destination.

What does the new legislation actually mean?

The regulations, which will be voted on by Parliament on Thursday, essentially replace the previous tier system with a series of “steps”, following the proposed dates of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown for England.

Step 1: From March 29, permits up to six people meeting outdoors but restricts indoor gatherings of two or more people. Some outdoor sports are permitted.

Step 2: Could come into effect from April 12, is when non-essential shops might reopen as well as businesses like hairdressers and hospitality venues serving customers outside. Weddings and wakes could then have up to 15 people.

Step 3: May come into force from May 17, allows groups of six to meet inside and up to 30 people outside.

The need for the restrictions must be reviewed by April 12, and at least once every 35 days thereafter, the legal papers say.

The laws expire on June 30, unless they are scrapped or amended in the meantime.