Across the U.K. and in Ireland new restrictions have been put into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you’re travelling or have an employee that is travelling, please review the detailed restrictions below for England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland before booking and review what Roomex recommends for travel.
- England has a three-tier system.
- Scotland has a five-level system.
- Northern Ireland, Wales, and Ireland have new, separate countrywide restrictions.
Note- Business travel is still permitted without a note in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Recommendations for Roomex customers that are travelling
- Ensure you have no symptoms of COVID-19, see the latest information and advice from the NHS here.
- Confirm the hotel is open by calling them prior to arrival
- Check your Duty of Care map regularly to keep track of travelling personnel should you need to get in touch
- Reach out to us via Live Chat in your platform or emailing priority@roomex.com - we are in this together.
Actions Roomex is taking to ensure guest safety
- We are in close contact with our hotel partners and will continue to provide updates via this article on possible closures.
- The updated inventory will be displayed in your platform. The RoomexClean tag in your platform ensures we've confirmed that the accommodation is exceeding the cleaning guidelines recommended by the WHO.
- Hotels will have more space and likely further discounts as leisure travel is not permitted or restricted.
- We will be still checking all reservations to confirm the accommodation is open prior to your stay.
England
Three-tier coronavirus restrictions to be reinstated in the U.K. beginning 02 December as national lockdown ends. Note- business travel is NOT impacted.
England has been placed in a three-tier system of restrictions ranging from medium to very high alerts that will be reviewed every 14 days. To find out what tier you’re in or the location your company is travelling to - type in the postcode here.
Sources: Gov.uk, The Guardian, The Independent
- North East
- North West
- Yorkshire and The Humber
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- South East
- South West
- North West
- Yorkshire
- West Midlands
- East Midlands
- East of England
- London
- South East
- South West
- South East
- South West
What does each tier mean for business travel?
- TRAVEL | Business travel permitted
- TRAVEL | Accommodation will primarily be closed and only open for business travel. Be sure to call ahead to confirm the hotel is open
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants closed for table service but open for takeaway, drive-through, or delivery
- TRAVEL | Business travel permitted
- HOSPITALITY | Table service is available, however, last orders must be in by 10 pm and must close by 11 pm, takeaway, drive-through, and delivery is open
- HOSPITALITY | Alcohol only served with substantial meals
- HOSPITALITY | Pubs and bars are closed unless operating as restaurants as well
- TRAVEL | Business travel permitted
- HOSPITALITY | Pubs, bars and restaurants will be open for table service and takeaway, drive-through, and delivery
Scotland
Scotland has introduced a COVID protection level system from 0-4. 0 is the lowest level, 4 is the highest on October 29. These levels will be updated weekly, the below was updated 01 December. To find out what section you’re in or the location your company is travelling to - type in the postcode here.
Find guidance on workforce travel here from the Scottish Government.
For full guidance on travel and transport click here.
Sources: Gov.scot, scotsman.com
Level 4 - Lockdown
- Glasgow City
- Renfrewshire
- East Renfrewshire
- West Dunbartonshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- North Lanarkshire
- South Lanarkshire
- South Ayrshire
- East Ayrshire
- West Lothian
- Stirling
Level 3- Very High
- North Ayrshire
- Clackmannanshire
- Falkirk
- Inverclyde
- City of Edinburgh
- Dundee City
- Angus
- Fife
- Perth and Kinross
- Midlothian
Level 2 - High
- Scottish Borders
- Dumfries & Galloway
- Aberdeen City
- Aberdeenshire
- Argyll & Bute
- East Lothian
Level 1 - Medium
- Moray
- Highland
- Orkney Islands
- Shetland Islands
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
Level 0 - Nearly Normal
- None
What does each level mean for business travel?
Level 4 - Lockdown
- TRAVEL | Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering properties will remain open for work stays and essential purposes.
- TRAVEL | Accommodation will primarily be closed and only open for business travel. Be sure to call ahead to confirm the hotel is open
- TRAVEL | Only essential travel allowed in or out of this level area
- HOSPITALITY | Hotels and other accommodation providers can still serve food to qualifying guests i.e. key or exempt workers, staying in their premises up to 22:00. Room service, including alcohol, is allowed as normal.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants closed for table service but open for takeaway, drive-through, or delivery
Level 3 -Very High
- TRAVEL | Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering properties will remain open for work stays and essential purposes.
- TRAVEL | Accommodation will primarily be closed and only open for business travel. Be sure to call ahead to confirm the hotel is open
- TRAVEL | Only essential travel allowed in or out of this level area
- HOSPITALITY | Hotels and other accommodation providers can still serve food to guests staying in their premises up to 22:00. Room service, including alcohol, is allowed as normal.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors and outdoors for the consumption of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks cannot be served. Last entry is 17:00 and all venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 18:00.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants are also open for takeaway, drive-through, or delivery
Level 2 - High
- TRAVEL | Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering properties will remain open for work stays in for those coming from anywhere, and leisure travel for those travelling from areas in level 0,1, or 2.
- TRAVEL | You must not travel into or out of Level 3 and 4 local authority areas except for essential reasons.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors for the consumption of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Alcoholic drinks can only be served with the purchase of a main meal. Last entry is 19:00 and all venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 20:00. You do not need to purchase a main meal to drink alcohol outdoors in level 2.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants are also open for takeaway, drive-through, or delivery
- HOSPITALITY | Hotels and other accommodation providers can still serve food to guests staying in their premises up to 22:00. Room service, including alcohol, is allowed as normal.
Level 1 - Medium
- TRAVEL | Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering properties will remain open for work stays in for those coming from anywhere, and leisure travel for those travelling from areas in level 0,1, or 2.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can open indoors and outdoors for the consumption of food and alcoholic drinks in line with licensing rules. Last entry is 21:30 and all venues must be closed and all customers off the premises by 22:30.
- HOSPITALITY | Room service in hotels and other accommodation providers is allowed as normal.
- HOSPITALITY | Restaurants are also open for takeaway, drive-through, or delivery
Wales
The Welsh Government has also enacted a new set of restrictions that will be reviewed again on 17 December. There is not a tiered system in place in Wales as there is in England and Scotland.
See the most recent statement on December 01 here from First Minister Mark Drakeford.
See full COVID-19 restrictions here.
- There are no restrictions on travel in Wales. Both business and leisure travel is allowed.
- From 04 December evening, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales will have to close by 6 pm, after which they will only be able to offer takeaways.
Northern Ireland
NI has updated its restrictions that will apply from 00:01 am on 27 November 2020 until 23:59 on 10 December. There is not a tiered system in place in Northern Ireland as there is in England and Scotland.
- TRAVEL | Hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfast establishments, hostels and caravan sites and self-catering accommodation will only be able to operate on a restricted basis. For the most part, hotels remain closed since 16 October.
- TRAVEL |Those who cannot work from home, for example, workers in food production, construction, manufacturing, logistics or distribution can continue to go to work.
- TRAVEL | Accommodation can be provided for those already resident; for work-related purposes; for vulnerable people; for those in emergency situations; and people unable to return to their main address.
- HOSPITALITY | Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must remain closed; with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
Republic of Ireland
From 01 December, Ireland has moved into Level 3, easing restrictions in place. Restrictions will change over the Christmas period.
Read the most recent COVID update from the Irish Government.
- TRAVEL | Hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs may open with services limited to residents only
- TRAVEL | Essential travel is still permitted in Ireland even between counties
- HOSPITALITY | Beginning 04 December- restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants (serving a substantial meal) may reopen for indoor dining with additional restrictions, (including the requirement for meals to be prepared on-site, inside the premises). This includes access for non-residents to restaurants in hotels
For more information on our full COVID response click here.
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Roomex News
December 2, 2020
