Coronavirus Restrictions Into and Out of Ski Countries for People from the UK
15th October 2020
Last modified on May 14th, 2021
With quarantine requirements it is a bit of a nightmare trying to find out what the rules currently are. PlanetSKI has been doing its homework looking at Europe, North America and Asia.
If you return to the UK from the vast majority of ski nations in the Alps, The Pyrenees and the Rockies in North America you will be required to self-isolate for 14-days on return to the UK.
Most countries, at time of writing, do not put restrictions on people arriving from the UK.
That however is changing.
Italy was the latest to introduce requirements, with a negative test required.
We should point out that you should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate travel to another country.
You should arrange to take a private test.
The UK has now put Italy on its quarantine list from 04.00 on Sunday 18th October.
You will have to comply with coronavirus requirements in the country, territory or region you travel to.
This may include self-isolating, providing your details to local authorities, testing for coronavirus, or even restrictions on entry.
Before travelling abroad, you should check government advice on:
Make sure you have appropriate insurance in case you have unexpected costs.
Ski Travel Insurance in the Covid-19 Era
Then when you get back into the UK you may need to self-isolate in the place you’re staying for the first 14 days after you arrive.
On returning from the vast majority of ski nations you will be required to isolate, though some people have special exemption.
You may be fined up to £10,000 for breaking quarantine rules.
You can be prosecuted if you do not pay the fine on time.
The UK government advises people not to travel if you have coronavirus symptoms.
Tell a member of the staff or crew if you develop symptoms while travelling.
On arrival back in the UK you need to have completed a passenger locator form.
This applies to people entering the UK from all countries, territories and regions.
It applies to UK residents and visitors.
You should complete the form before you enter the UK.
You can complete it any time in the 48-hour period before you are due to arrive in the UK.
Failure to complete the form is a criminal offence.
Border controls. Image © PlanetSKI.
Here are the current details country by county, but we strongly recommend you make your own checks as the situation changes rapidly and often with little warning:
Andorra
Going In
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel.
If you decide to travel there are no special entry requirements.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Andorra you will generally need to self- isolate.
Austria
Going In
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to Austria.
If you decide to travel there are no special entry requirements.
Entry to Austria from the UK without the need for a COVID-19 test or quarantine is possible.
The FCDO is not advising those already travelling in Austria to leave at this time.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Austria you will generally need to self-isolate on your return.
Canada
Going In
Canada is exempt from the FCDO advice against all non-essential international travel.
Entry to Canada is limited, except for Canadian citizens and permanent residents or their immediate families (exceptions apply), temporary foreign workers, and some international students
If you’re eligible to enter Canada, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival
Earlier in October Canada eased entry for some:
People will now be allowed in if they are:
- Significant others of Canadian residents, even if they’re not married.
- Visiting a sick or dying relative.
- An international student attending a school with an approved Covid-19 plan.
Visitors travelling to Canada by air need an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to enter the country.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Canada you will generally need to self-isolate on your return
Finland
Going In
Finland is exempt from the FCDO advice against all non-essential international travel.
If you’re eligible to enter Finland from the UK, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days after arrival.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Finland you will generally not need to self-isolate on your return.
France
Going In
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel.
Arrivals by sea and air routes will need to complete a ‘sworn statement’ (déclaration sur l’honneur) form self-certifying they are not suffering from symptoms associated with coronavirus and have not been in contact with confirmed cases in the preceding fortnight.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from France you will generally need to self-isolate on your return.
You can transit across France in a private vehicle from an exempt country (Germany) as long as you do not interact if you get out of your vehicle and you return via the Channel Tunnel.
See this earlier article on PlanetSKI:
Self-driving across France with no need to quarantine
Germany
Going In
Germany is exempt from the FCDO advice against all non-essential international travel.
Germany has added the whole of the United Kingdom to the list of countries it considers corona risk areas.
As of midnight on Friday 23rd October, anyone entering the country will be expected to quarantine for 14 days unless they test negative within 48 hours of travel or upon entry.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Germany you will generally not need to self-isolate on your return.
If you use Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg airport to return to the UK, you will transit France or Switzerland and therefore will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK
Italy
Going In
The FCDO is not advising those already travelling in Italy to leave at this time.
Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus.
Italy though has introduced its own entry requirements.
· A negative COVID test is required when you arrive in Italy from the UK.
· You’ll be asked to show evidence that you tested negative in a test administered in the 72 hours before your travel.
· You should not use the NHS testing service to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test.
· Alternatively, you can get a free test on arrival at some airports, or at a testing facility in Italy shortly after you arrive. If you test positive within Italy, you will be required to quarantine. The time spent in quarantine can vary greatly from a few days to several weeks. Travellers should be prepared for this eventuality.
· You will need to download and complete a self-declaration from the Ministry of Interior before you travel to Italy and inform local authorities of your presence.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Italy on or after 4am on 18th October, you will need to self-isolate on your return.
See here for our updated report:
Italy added to UK quarantine list
Japan
Going In
Japan is exempt from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel.
Short-term visitors who have been in the UK and other select countries in the last 14 days are currently unable to enter Japan, unless they are travelling for business purposes or in exceptional circumstances.
Japan has also suspended its visa waiver system for anyone travelling on a British passport. Single and multiple entry visas issued prior to 20 March also remain suspended.
All passengers who arrive in Japan will be required to undergo a coronavirus screening test and are required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival at a designated location (such as a hotel or your own home) and avoid using public transport. You will also need to provide written evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result conducted within 72 hours of your flight departure time if arriving from the UK.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Japan you will generally not need to self-isolate on your return.
Norway
Going In
Norway is exempt from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel.
Travellers normally resident in the UK may enter Norway but from midnight on 21st August have been required to self-quarantine for 10 days.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Norway you will generally not need to self-isolate on your return.
Spain
Going In
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all non-essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic and Canary Islands.
The FCDO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time.
On arrival travellers entering Spain from the UK will not be required to self-isolate.
However, you will be subject to the following three requirements:
· Provide the Spanish Ministry of Health with mandatory contact information and any history of exposure to COVID-19 48 hours prior to travel
· Temperature check
· Undergo a visual health assessment
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Spain you will generally need to self-isolate on your return
Sweden
Going In
Sweden is exempt from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advice against all non-essential international travel.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Sweden you will generally not need to self-isolate on your return.
Switzerland
Going In
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advise against all but essential travel to Switzerland.
The FCDO is not advising those already travelling in Switzerland to leave at this time.
Travellers who have visited the UK in the past 10 days will be required to quarantine for 10 days on entry to Switzerland
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from Switzerland you will generally need to self-isolate on your return.
USA
Going In
British nationals cannot enter the USA if they have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil or China within the previous 14 days
If you are eligible to enter the USA you must be prepared to self-isolate for up to 14 days after arrival.
Coming Back
If you are returning to the UK from the USA you will generally need to self-isolate on your return
Here at PlanetSKI we will be keeping this article up to date as we track the changes, but we cannot stress highly enough that you will need to double-check all information as it is an ever-changing picture.
