Foreign holidays are currently not allowed under the “stay at home” rule – which ends on Monday – but the ban on leaving the UK from this time will become a specific law.
It will be backed up by the threat of the £5,000 fine.
This proposed new law states that no one can “leave England to travel to a destination outside the United Kingdom, or travel to, or be present at, an embarkation point for the purpose of travelling from there to a destination outside the United Kingdom” without a reasonable excuse.
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.
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 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.
Under the current roadmap for easing restrictions, the earliest date that people in England could go abroad for a holiday would be 17th May, however, another surge in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in continental Europe, as well as the slow rollout of vaccines across Europe, has sadly cast a somewhat of a doubt on the resumption of foreign travel.
Although, if approved, the new travel laws won’t expire until 30th June, during an appearance on Sky News this morning, Health Secretary Matt Hancock suggested that foreign holidays could be allowed before that date.
"It's been an incredibly difficult year, probably the hardest in a generation."
As the UK marks one year since the first lockdown, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says "the hope is that we now have a route out of this" because of the vaccination rollout.https://t.co/G0p0E4zsqtpic.twitter.com/6pfdEdpvoC
Mr Hancock said: “The questions of whether people will be able to travel abroad this summer are going to be addressed by the Global Travel Taskforce, which is reporting around 12 April.
“The roadmap sets out the earliest date by which we will allow for international travel – without one of the clear reasons you need now – is 17 May [and] that has not changed. The way we’re putting that into law is as part of these roadmap regulations that will be voted on on Thursday.
“They come to an end as a whole at the end of June.
“But that doesn’t change the timings for these questions on international travel.”
He did however go on to warn that it was currently “too early to say” what the taskforce would decide on foreign holidays, due to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections across Europe, adding: “The reason for that is we are seeing this third wave rising in some parts of Europe and we’re also seeing new variants.
“It is very important we protect the progress we’ve been able to make here in the UK.”
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#StayHome
Featured Image Credit – Pixnio
News
First look at Chester Zoo’s new luxury safari-style lodges where you can sleep amongst the animals
Emily Sergeant
The first look at Chester Zoo’s new luxury safari-style resort has been released to the public, and it looks stunning.
In case you missed it, artist impression images of the highly anticipated wildlife lodge experience at Chester Zoo, called The Reserve, were unveiled earlier this year ahead of its grand opening to the public this month following several years in the works… but now opening day is right around the corner, the first official images have been shared.
The Reserve at Chester Zoo features 51 beautifully-designed lodges, with some overlooking a private savannah where giraffes, zebras, and blesbok antelope roam free, while others are nestled beside a peaceful lake.
Guests can choose from a variety of different lodges to stay in, available for up to nine people.
The lodges have been crafted using natural and sustainable materials, with the décor being inspired by landscapes in Africa, and it’s already being described as ‘the ultimate African safari experience right here in the UK’.
Combining luxurious accommodation with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the zoo’s world-renowned wildlife, Chester Zoo says the new resort is set to transform how travellers experience conservation in the UK.
Those behind the project say the innovative concept – where every stay directly-funds the protection of threatened species globally – will help to strengthen the zoo’s role as ‘one of the country’s most loved and most impactful conservation charities’.
Chester Zoo has given the first look at its new luxury safari-style lodges / Credit: Chester Zoo
“The Reserve at Chester Zoo is a game-changer, not just for luxury travel but for conservation,” commented Jamie Christon, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo.
“Born from our long-standing commitment to protecting African wildlife, we’ve created a truly immersive, safari-style experience right here in the UK, where guests may wake up to giraffes on their doorstep, enjoy unforgettable wildlife encounters and relax in beautifully designed lodges surrounded by nature.
“But what makes The Reserve truly unique is its purpose.
“Guests at The Reserve aren’t just going to enjoy a luxury break – they’re going to power our conservation movement for generations to come.”
Stays at the resort are now available to book online / Credit: Chester Zoo
In the off-season, prices for the lodges start from £375, while one-night stays in summer start from £672.50.
And then in peak season, for the more luxurious lodges, prices can go all the way up to £2,486, but it is worth noting, however, that this does include guided safari tours and going behind the scenes with the giraffes.
Find out more and book your stay at The Reserve when it finally opens to the public on Monday 18 August on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
News
The Spirit of Manchester confirms bar closure as Manc hospitality takes another hit
Danny Jones
Manchester has been hit by yet another gutting hospitality closure as The Bar at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, formerly known as Three Little Words, has confirmed they have shut down effective immediately.
The stunning spot set up as The Spirit of Manchester Distillery’s dedicated, customer-facing city centre venue and second home under the arches, opened back in 2019, offering a cocktail, gin-making and tasting experience, as well as a restaurant.
But fast forward six years, and now the once-beloved Three Little Words bar has sadly closed, largely citing the same economic pressures everyone has faced post-pandemic.
Writing an emotional farewell post on LinkedIn, Spirit of Manchester co-founder and master distiller Seb Heeley said: “This is a post I never thought I’d have to write. 9 years ago, we set out with a dream to build something that would represent the spirit of Manchester from the humble beginning in our dining room.
“We were fortunate enough that people embraced our vision, and 6 years ago we embarked on an over million pound project to bring 6 forgotten, abandoned arches beneath the iconic Manchester Central back to life to show the best the city has to offer.
“Unfortunately, COVID changed the playing field 5 years ago, and over the last 2 years, running a city centre hospitality business, we have been hit with a perfect storm of rising costs, taxes and pressure on customer wallets that has ultimately led to an unsustainable business model.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have to close our customer-facing operation on Watson Street today. It’s the amazing team that I feel most sorry for, as it’s their commitment over the last 6 years that has made this building feel like our forever home.”
Having also housed local culinary offerings like Etana, too, it’s sad to see such an eye-catching part of the city’s dining scene fall foul to the ongoing industry pressures and cost of living crisis.
Heeley goes on to add: “If anyone on my network is looking for new recruits, I couldn’t speak highly enough of our whole team. Please get in touch with me about any opening you may have.”
Even if you’ve never been, you’ll have passed a bottle of Manchester Gin countless times. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Heeley signs off by saying: “While this is the end for our experience centre site, Manchester Gin will continue to be made in the city and hopefully enjoyed for years to come.
“Obviously, this is a difficult time for all of us, so please bear with us while we go through this transition. Thank you.” Online orders have also been briefly paused as they look to lay out clearer plans for the future, and we can only hope they come through the other side more stable.
In what has been a heartbreaking start to the week, this marks the third high-profile food and drink casualty in central Manchester alone in the space of just the last two days, with the news of Salvi’s shutting their Deansgate Square location being followed up by another NQ closure barely hours later.
Safe to say it’s more apparent than ever that our hospitality sector needs better support and fast.
The Manc -
23rd March 2021 
