London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Jul 12, 2026

‘Worrying statistic’ shows 20% of Brits will go abroad even if it breaches UK government’s Covid-19 rules

‘Worrying statistic’ shows 20% of Brits will go abroad even if it breaches UK government’s Covid-19 rules

The latest figures on the UK’s attitude to international travel show that 20% of Brits are still planning to go abroad even if their trip violates government Covid-19 restrictions and despite the threat of being fined £5,000.

The data, released by travel insurance firm Battleface, follows the UK government’s announcement that it will introduce fines of up to £5,000 ($6,853) for anyone in England who tries to travel abroad without appropriate justification, warning that it is still “too early” to make plans for holidays during the summer.

A fifth of the individuals surveyed by the company said that, even if the UK government advises against travel to their destination, they would still proceed with their booked holiday, with that number rising to 35% among 18-34-year-olds.

The research also found that 26% of British holidaymakers would be less inclined to travel to a country that required them to provide proof that they had received their Covid-19 vaccination.

While the current roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown would allow for people in the UK to go abroad from May 17, it is subject to the success of the ongoing vaccination programme and will be contingent on the risk of travelling to certain countries falling, so that new strains of the virus aren’t brought into the UK.

Travel presenter Simon Reeve said he was concerned by the statistics and suggested that people need to be aware of the logistics involved in travelling due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It’s a worrying statistic which suggests Brits are imagining that we still live in the pre-pandemic era."


The data comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel declared that the UK government will “rule nothing out", including maintaining border measures during the summer, as it weighs how to reopen the economy while protecting individuals from new variants.

The UK was plunged into its third lockdown in January after new strains caused the virus to rapidly spread through communities, forcing the government to swiftly introduce strict restrictions to prevent the health service from being overwhelmed.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
World Cup Visitors Turn American Big-Box Stores Into Souvenir Stops
Netflix Weighs Always-On Channels, Bundles and Short-Form Video
Passenger Is Pulled Partly Outside Ryanair Jet After Window Fails Mid-Flight
Innovation-led growth strategy
Public service reform pressure
Defence and industrial security
Labour leadership transition and economic reset
Northern England Pushes for Greater Influence in Britain’s Future Economic Model
UK Technology Strategy Focuses on Life Sciences, Digital Innovation and Research Investment
Britain and United States Maintain Focus on Pharmaceuticals Cooperation and Industrial Growth
UK Public Services Face Continued Pressure as Government Promises Visible Improvements
Regional Economic Power Becomes Key Theme in Britain’s Next Political Phase
Britain Expands Support for Small Businesses as Firms Seek Better Access to Finance
UK Economy Remains Central Political Challenge as Cost of Living and Growth Concerns Persist
National Health Service Introduces New Workplace Reviews to Improve Conditions for Healthcare Staff
UK Life Sciences Sector Secures More Than Three Billion Pounds in Investment to Support Innovation
Britain Strengthens Defence Strategy as Security Concerns Reshape Military and Industrial Policy
Andy Burnham Promises Stronger UK Defence Industry and Expanded Domestic Production
UK Government Faces Difficult Spending Choices as Labour Leadership Transition Approaches
Rachel Reeves Warns Andy Burnham of Immediate Economic Challenges After Expected Leadership Change
Andy Burnham Prepares to Lead UK Government With Plans for Regional Power Shift and Economic Reset
Government Creates Emergency Support Scheme for Financially Struggling Universities
United Kingdom Replaces Traditional Farm Subsidies With Payments Linked to Environmental Performance
National Grid Reports First Week of Electricity Generation Without Fossil Fuels
United Kingdom Financial Regulator Introduces Tougher Capital Rules for Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Belfast Harbour Expands Operations to Attract Investment Through United Kingdom and European Union Market Access
Scottish Government Threatens Legal Challenge Over Westminster Cuts to North Sea Transition Funding
United Kingdom Accelerates Trans-Pennine High-Speed Rail Project Linking Northern Cities
United Kingdom Secures Ten Billion Pound Investment for Cambridge Quantum Computing Campus
Port Talbot Steelworks Wins Support for Green Hydrogen Transition and Protection of Industrial Jobs
United Kingdom Sends Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group to Indo-Pacific as Regional Security Focus Expands
National Health Service Expands Artificial Intelligence Diagnostics Across England to Reduce Screening Backlogs
United Kingdom Launches Fifty Billion Pound Infrastructure Fund to Accelerate Housing and Construction
UK Medical Chiefs Update Health Guidance to Promote Everyday Physical Activity
Office of Communications Keeps Wikipedia Under Review Under UK Online Safety Rules
UK Defence Ministry Expands Deep-Strike Capability Through Precision Missile Programme
Russell Group Universities Warn Funding Cuts Could Damage NHS Workforce Training
UK Parliament Calls for National Emergency Broadcast as Heatwave Conditions Intensify
UK and Netherlands Strengthen Naval Cooperation With New Amphibious Defence Partnership
UK Defence Ministry Joins International Missile Programme With One Hundred and Ninety Million Pound Investment
Bank of England Warns Middle East Conflict and AI Risks Could Pressure UK Economy
UK Government Introduces New Rules to Limit Foreign Influence in Political Donations
UK and France Prepare Naval Mission to Protect Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
United States Pressures UK to Increase Defence Spending at NATO Summit
Bank of England Warns Artificial Intelligence Investment Boom Could Create Financial Stability Risks
Bank of England Begins Direct Oversight of Critical Technology Providers Supporting UK Finance
Andy Burnham Set to Become UK Prime Minister After Labour Leadership Race Clears Path to Downing Street
Scottish Fishing Industry Calls for Emergency Support Amid Rising Costs
UK Supports Stronger European Response to Russian Actions in Ukraine
Devon and Cornwall Police Release Suspect in Ann Widdecombe Murder Investigation
×