Covid-19 Business Travel Resource Centre

From the 17th of May 2021, international travel from the UK is permitted under the Traffic Light System.

Travel restrictions are defined by Green, Amber and Red countries as highlighted in the table below. You must check (and keep checking as it can change!) the status of your destination country and any transit countries for your intended trip on the UK government website.

Depending upon the country status, you will need to:
1. Follow the relevant pre-departure “Fit-to-Fly” testing requirements. You should also check that this pre-departure test meets the requirements or your destination, and any transit countries.

You may also be required to take a test upon arrival into your destination country.

2. Follow the relevant pre-return departure testing requirements.

3. Upon your return to the UK, complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) and follow the relevant testing and quarantine requirements.

Be aware of any quarantine for when you return to the UK!

Green countries don’t require quarantine but do require a test on/before day 2 after your return. More info on test providers here.

Amber countries require up to 10 days quarantine at home and a test on/before day 2 and 8 after your return. More info on test providers here. You can reduce your required quarantine period via “Test to Release”.

Red countries require 10 days quarantine in a government accredited quarantine hotel. If you are travelling to a Red country, you must pre-book your quarantine hotel and testing. More information including access to the UK government quarantine hotel & test booking portal is available here.

To help you view travel restrictions in a clear format, we’ve partnered with CIBT to provide clear information on departure and arrivals. Please check below:

Be aware to check for any transit points in your travel also! Keep checking restrictions before and during your trip as they could change.

CIBT also check your visa requirements at the same time (default as business reason for travel.)

Please Note: If you do require a visa, the “Get My Visa” link in the below widget will not take you to your CIBT visa account. Please go to your dedicated company account link with CIBT on your Go2Book homepage or contact your branch, who will be happy to process on your behalf.

Undertaking Covid-19 tests at certain points in time before, during and after your trip is necessary for any international travel. You need to plan how and when you will take and process your test in order to meet travel requirements and not disrupt your trip.

In many cases, you will need to take a PCR type test to confirm a negative result within 72 hours of departure. Please check the requirements of your trip as these can change.

The Covid-19 negative result status can be produced in different ways. Generally, this is either delivered as a pdf certificate attached to an email or as an update within the test provider app.

Test Providers in the UK

You will need to conduct tests in the UK (or your other resident country) before you depart and upon your return. Details of these tests can be seen in the travel requirements resources above.

Be aware: When deciding on a test for travel, it’s important to check the FCDO advice “Entry requirements” and destination government advice detail. If it stipulates a certain kind of PCR test, (for example, nasal swab,) ensure you are choosing the correct test type.

As an example, saliva type PCR tests have previously been advised as not acceptable (with nasal swab type required), for entry to Greece, Italy, United Arab Emirates and (if not a by administered by a medical professional,) Australia. It is your responsibility to verify latest test requirements.

Also check detail on how test results should be produced. Often results need to be produced in English, Spanish or French.

All UK based private Covid-19 testing services have to by law apply for UKAS accreditation, and feature on the list here.

We offer three UK based testing providers below for information purposes only. These tests are not available directly with Clarity. Please take your time to read the information, terms and conditions that each of these providers offer if you do want to purchase a test.

The PCR test uses a nasal swab and prices start from £89.10 for a “Fit-to-Fly” using discount code CLARITYTRAVEL10

The PCR test uses a nasal swab and prices start from £60 for “Fit-to-Fly” using discount code Clarity60. The day 2 & 8 amber country quarantine on return PCR test package is also available from £120 using discount code Clarity120.

*Please be aware that tests with Randox require the traveller to deposit the test in a drop box for processing. This may not be convenient for pre-departure testing.*

Test Providers in International Destinations.

You will need to conduct tests during your trip, and in time before your return to the UK or your home country. Details of these test can be seen in the travel requirements resources above.

The best place to find local destination test providers is through the Covid-19 advice pages on the website of the airline you are travelling with. Also useful is to check FCDO advice regarding Covid-19 for your destination, who link to destination government advice and resources.

Advice for Travellers

In addition to the support measures provided by your employers and travel insurer, when you book with Clarity, you can see how airlines, hotels and rail providers mitigate risks for your trip. We also suggest:
• To avoid crowds at the airport, book lounge access.
• To help reduce possible queueing at the airport, book fast-track and concierge services.
• Rather than using public transport, consider using a taxi.

All of these products are bookable via Go2Book or direct with your branch.

We know that the situation can change when you’re away too.
• Ensure you are kept up to date with Travel Alerts by providing latest contact details within your booking.
• To access destination advice, live travel updates and notifications, download Go2Mobile

Advice for Travel Managers

As mentioned above, making use of lounge access, fast-track, concierge and private taxis will help to reduce transmissions and improve traveller wellbeing. If you don’t currently have these travel products activated within your travel policy, please speak to your account manager.

Many Travel Managers already use our Go2Track risk management platform to easily monitor traveller locations, brief travellers before departure, and automate risk alerting for global travel.

Finally, if not already in place, Covid-19 has demonstrated the value of risk management planning with a travel program. Clarity have you covered with a comprehensive guide on how to implement resilient duty to care measures that safeguard your traveller workforce.