great britain coronavirus travel restrictions

England Has Reopened to Travelers—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

Vaccinated travelers from the u.s. no longer need to quarantine—but there are still some rules to follow..

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The whole of Great Britain, including Port Isaac on the Cornish coast, is open for vaccinated travelers.

Photo by Ian Woolcock / Shutterstock

From August 2 some international visitors will finally be able to visit the U.K. with fewer restrictions, but it’s not as simple as flashing your passport at border control. There’s a “traffic light” system and testing requirements dependent on where you come from. Here’s what you need to know before you travel to the U.K. in 2021.

Is the U.K. open to U.S. travelers?

Yes, U.S. citizens can travel to England, Scotland, and Wales. Sixteen months after the U.K. closed its borders to the U.S., fully vaccinated American travelers will be able to enter England without having to quarantine from August 2. Both Scotland and Wales, which have land borders with England, are following suit with their entry policy for American travelers, but Northern Ireland is yet to announce whether similar allowances will be made.

Unvaccinated visitors to all four nations within the U.K. will still need to isolate for 10 days on arrival and complete three COVID tests.

Travel restrictions and requirements for entry to the U.K.

If you are . . .

Traveling to the U.K. from the U.S.

The U.K. is operating a “traffic light” system to dictate which travelers coming from which destinations are allowed to cross its borders. The USA is on the U.K.’s “ amber list, ” meaning unvaccinated travelers will need a negative PCR test before departure. You must also complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF), and book and pay for two more day-2 and day-8 tests to be taken after your arrival in the U.K. You are required to isolate for 10 days on arrival , regardless of the results of your two PCR tests. Once your self-imposed quarantine is over, you can enjoy traveling in the U.K. for up to six months visa-free.

If you’re fully vaccinated, you won’t need to isolate at all and you don’t have to take the third PCR test. You still need to complete the Passenger Locator Form and the predeparture and day-2 tests.

Traveling to the U.K. from other international destinations

If traveling from other “amber” countries, with the exception of France, vaccinated travelers need not isolate on arrival in the U.K. and should just complete the PLF, take a predeparture PCR, and book a day-2 test. Amber list destinations include Canada, Italy, and Japan.

The U.K.’s “red list” is still rather extensive, including much of South and Central America and Mexico. Anyone wishing to travel from a “ red list ” destination must book a quarantine hotel package to isolate for 10 days, take a predeparture test, complete a PLF, and take two tests during the quarantine period.

How to travel to the U.K. in 2021

Flights and airfares to the u.k..

Despite the restrictions of the past 16 months, flights have been connecting the U.K. and major cities in the U.S. throughout the pandemic with some record low fares. Sadly, with the latest announcements regarding travel restrictions between the two countries lifting, prices have shot back up to their usual costs.

Right now, direct flights from New York to London in August are $1,200, and you can expect to pay as much as $1,500 if flying from California. Book with a layover and you’ll save around a third of the cost on your ticket; book for September onwards and prices begin to drop as the U.K.’s summer holidays end.

Requirements for returning to the United States from the U.K.

All travelers returning from the U.K. must have a negative PCR test before departure or be able to show proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months. The CDC recommends that travelers should also take a viral test between three and five days after their arrival from the U.K., and unvaccinated travelers should quarantine for a full seven days after travel. (Vaccinated travelers don’t have to self-isolate.)

What it’s like traveling to the U.K. right now

The U.K. is currently seeing a fourth peak in the virus, with cases sitting around 31,000 per day as of July 29. Despite the high case numbers, the death rate is far lower than previous peaks thanks to the vaccine rollout, which has seen almost 40 million people fully vaccinated since December 2020.

On July 19, the law mandating that masks be worn in indoor public spaces and on public transport was removed in England, meaning you can go mask-free wherever you want. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, you must still wear a mask inside public places and on transport. “Around 70 percent of train passengers were still wearing masks despite the relaxed rules during my visit,” says AFAR deputy editor Tim Chester, who just returned from a two-week trip to England, “and pretty much everyone was masked up on the London underground.”

There are also some restrictions on the number of households allowed to meet inside in those three nations, while England has now lifted all coronavirus restrictions, allowing even nightclubs to reopen.

Needless to say, with the varying rules and regulations in place, planning a trip to the U.K. is still a little tricky. Even residents are getting confused about the restrictions, but it’s certainly not impossible and once you’ve got your head around the rules, you can relax.

You can find the current coronavirus rules for each nation at the following links:

Northern Ireland

Carreg Cennen in Wales and many other attractions are open for business.

Photo by Richard Whitcombe / Shutterstock

What can I do when I get to the U.K.?

England is fully open now, which means even nightclubs are up and running—though you need to be fully vaccinated to attend. Indoor hospitality (excluding nightclubs) and attractions have been open for some months now across the U.K., which means you can explore the big blockbusters in London such as the Tower of London and V&A Museum , as well as country houses and estates across the nation like Blenheim Palace and Wales’s most striking castle, Carreg Cennen.

One of the most exciting developments for travelers to the U.K. this year, though, is the news that tour operators and cruise lines are focusing their efforts on the British Isles. The stunning Tradewinds Voyages tall ship Golden Horizon is taking to the seas around the U.K. from August 4 , sailing along the coast of Devon, around the Scilly Isles and beyond, while Fred. Olsen has a whole host of itineraries taking in Scotland, England, and Wales.

Intrepid Travel has launched 20 new tours in the U.K. for 2021, including clifftop adventures in Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, and walking and cycling trips in the dramatic Peak District.

>> Next: Europe’s Ever-Changing Rules Dampen Summer Travel Plans

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England’s international Covid travel rules have been simplified.

The change, which came into force on Monday, replaced a traffic light-inspired system with a single “red” list of places that present the highest virus risk.

By Isabella Kwai

• Published Oct. 4, 2021 Updated Oct. 29, 2021

LONDON — Streamlined coronavirus restrictions on international travel in and out of England came into effect on Monday, including an easing of testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated arrivals.

The change, which went into effect at 4 a.m. local time, replaced a three-tier traffic light-inspired system with a single “red” list of countries and territories that present the highest risk.

Critics had complained that the old system — which periodically involved the government altering the risk status of countries and which left Britons scrambling to figure out the latest rules during vacations — had caused confusion within the travel industry.

“We are accelerating towards a future where travel continues to reopen safely and remains open for good,” Grant Shapps, Britain’s transportation secretary, said in a statement, “and today’s rule changes are good news for families, businesses and the travel sector.” Mr. Shapps attributed the move to the vaccination rate; 67 percent of the population of the United Kingdom is fully vaccinated .

Under the new rules, fully vaccinated travelers entering England will no longer be required to take a pre-departure coronavirus test when returning from a country that is not on the red list. And though travelers must still pay for a test to take on the second day after their return, beginning later this month, the government said it would accept less expensive rapid tests over polymerase chain reaction, or P.C.R., tests.

Arrivals who tested positive, however, would still need to isolate and take a P.C.R. test, “which would be genomically sequenced to help identify new variants,” the government said.

Testing and quarantine requirements for those who are not fully vaccinated remain the same, as do rules for those entering from “red” list countries.

After the success of a pilot test involving arrivals from United States and Europe, England will also begin a phased approach to recognizing vaccinations that have been administered in other countries and territories, expanding that list on Monday to over 50 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Japan and Canada.

In the past week, Britain reported an average of 33,779 daily cases and 112 daily deaths, according to a New York Times database. Cases have increased by 16 percent from the average two weeks ago.

Isabella Kwai is a breaking news reporter in the London bureau. She joined The Times in 2017 as part of the Australia bureau. More about Isabella Kwai

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United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for United Kingdom, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to the United Kingdom. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to the United Kingdom.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

the United Kingdom is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Tick-borne Encephalitis

Avoid bug bites

Learn more about tick-borne encephalitis at your destination .

Tick-borne Encephalitis - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Airborne & droplet.

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in the United Kingdom, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although the United Kingdom is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in the United Kingdom include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call the United Kingdom’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in the United Kingdom, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in the United Kingdom.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for United Kingdom for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Introduction

Britain and Northern Ireland currently have no official COVID-19 restrictions in place, however there is still guidance on what to do should you catch coronavirus while here on holiday. For more information, please check the official government websites using the links below.

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United Kingdom Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to the United Kingdom

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

United Kingdom entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to the United Kingdom from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Kingdom.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the United Kingdom without restrictions.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter the United Kingdom without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter the United Kingdom?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering the United Kingdom.

Can I travel to the United Kingdom without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in the United Kingdom?

Mask usage in the United Kingdom is not required in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in the United Kingdom?

Restaurants in the United Kingdom are open. Bars in the United Kingdom are .

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17 May reopening: how Covid measures across Britain are changing

Coronavirus restrictions are set to be eased in England, Wales and most of Scotland from Monday

• Coronavirus – latest updates
• See all our coronavirus coverage

Coronavirus restrictions will be eased further on Monday in England, Wales and most of Scotland. Northern Ireland will review its measures on Thursday, with a view to lifting more restrictions on 24 May.

The next phase of relaxation comes despite the spread of the coronavirus variant first detected in India , though Boris Johnson warned on Friday that the variant could make it “more difficult” to achieve the final step in England’s roadmap in June.

Here’s a look at the changes coming into force on Monday.

The rules on gatherings are changing to allow bigger groups and indoor household mixing. The government is also reviewing its social distancing guidance to emphasise “personal responsibility rather than rules”.

Groups of up to six people or two households can meet indoors and overnight visits are allowed.

People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.

Up to 30 people can attend weddings, receptions wakes and other life events.

The number of people who can attend a funeral is determined by how many people the venue can accommodate with social distancing.

Care home residents can have up to five named visitors (two at a time), provided visitors test negative.

Restrictions on leisure, hospitality and entertainment are also being relaxed in a long-awaited development for pubs, restaurants and cinemas among others.

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants can serve customers indoors.

Museums, galleries and cinemas can reopen, as can bowling alleys and arcades.

Theatres, concert halls and sports stadiums can reopen.

Organised adult sports, includes gym classes, can begin again.

Steam rooms and saunas can reopen.

All holiday accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs, can open.

The rules regarding international travel change on 17 May as the government scraps the legal restriction on going abroad.

Travellers no longer require a permitted reason to fly internationally, and people returning to England will need to follow restrictions outlined in the traffic light system, depending on which country they have come from.

The rules are easing to allow hospitality venues to serve customers indoors, but restrictions on household mixing in private homes remain in place. Indoor socialising in homes remains limited to extended households, meaning two households can mix with each other (and no one else).

Indoor hospitality can reopen, with venues allowed to seat six people from up to six households (not including children under 11) together at a table

Six people from six households can meet outside

All holiday accommodation can fully reopen

Entertainment venues, such as cinemas, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor-play areas and theatres can begin welcoming back customers

Indoor visitor attractions, including museums and galleries, can reopen

Up to 30 people can attend indoor wedding receptions and wakes, while the cap is raised to 50 for organised outdoor events

International travel can resume, in line with the traffic light system used by England and Scotland – but the government continues to advise against non-essential foreign travel.

Unlike England and Wales , Scotland has continued to use a tiered system, meaning different levels of restrictions are imposed depending on local infection levels.

With the exceptions of Moray and Glasgow, which will remain in level three, mainland Scotland is moving to level two restrictions on 17 May. Most Scottish islands will be in level one.

For most of Scotland in level two , restrictions will change to mean the following:

Up to six people from no more than three households can meet indoors in a private home or hospitality venue. Children under 12 are not included in the number making up a group, but they are included in the number of households.

Overnight visits are allowed

Up to eight people from eight households can meet outdoors

Hospitality venues can serve alcohol indoors until 10.30pm

Entertainment venues such as cinemas, theatres and bingo halls may reopen

Outdoor adult contact sport and indoor group exercise can restart

Up to 50 people can attend weddings and funerals

International travel to be allowed, in line with rules in England

Orkney, Shetland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, all islands in Highland (except Skye) and the Argyll and Bute islands of Coll, Colonsay, Erraid, Gometra, Iona, Islay, Jura, Mull, Oronsay, Tiree and Ulva will move to level one .

In level one, up to eight people from three households can meet in an indoor public place, while 12 from 12 households can meet outdoors. The limit for weddings and funerals rises to 100 attendees.

As Glasgow and Moray remain in level three , there is no change to restrictions in these areas.

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There are no COVID-19 restrictions in the UK.

If you have COVID-19 you should try to stay at home.

Most people cannot get free COVID-19 tests. You can buy tests in shops but you cannot report the result to the NHS.

You can get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the NHS .

You do not need to take a test or quarantine when you arrive in the UK. You should check travel advice for any country you are travelling to .

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Book a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose on the NHS website.

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NHS advice on when to stay at home and when to get medical advice.

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