Travel, fieldwork and outdoor teaching

By law, in a level 4 area, you can only leave your home (or garden) for an essential purpose. Please check the current guidance whether any planned travel falls within one of the exemptions, Coronavirus (COVID-19): stay at home guidance

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide, apart from some exceptions since 4^th July 2020. Please see the GOV.UK website for more information.

Information for students on entering the UK can be found at:  Information about Semester 2 | The University of Edinburgh

Information for staff on entering and returning to the UK can be found at: https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19/staff/entering-and-returning-to-the-uk

Full information on international travel restrictions can be found on the UK Government website. Information specific to Scotland can be found on the Scottish Government website.  

By law, in a level 4 area, you can only leave your home (or garden) for an essential purpose. 

Travel exceptions include travel to university for on-campus teaching, and travel to work where that cannot be done from your home. This also applies to UK and international travel for students returning home from university or college at the end of term. For information on travelling for University placements, please visit the student travel UK placements FAQ at https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19/current-students/semester-2  

If you do need to travel for essential purposes you should follow the Scottish Government guidance on travelling safely.

By law, in a level 4 area, you can only leave your home (or garden) for an essential purpose. 

Travel exceptions include travel to university for on-campus teaching, and travel to work where that cannot be done from your home.  

For information on travelling for University placements, please visit the student travel UK placements FAQ at https://www.ed.ac.uk/news/covid-19/current-students/semester-2  

If you do need to travel for essential purposes you should follow the Scottish Government guidance on travelling safely.

Students now have the opportunity to request PCR tests before they travel back to campus. Please note that this should only be for students who are travelling to resume campus-based aspects of the hybrid model. Updated guidance is now available on the Scottish Government website: Student Information Scotland

After 31 July 2020, essential business travel may progress subject to full risk assessment/approval processes. In line with the University’s commitment on climate change and reducing operating expenditure, staff looking to travel should actively seek alternatives to travel where possible.

Travel risk assessment and guidance

After 31 July 2020, a Covid-19 specific travel risk assessment must be completed for any travel on University of Edinburgh business, both within the UK and abroad. This risk assessment is mandatory and must be submitted as part of your travel insurance application. You must ensure that you follow the accompanying flow chart before completing the risk assessment and then follow your normal authorisation process prior to booking any travel or accommodation.

Certain countries require a negative covid-19 test to allow travel to that country. It is your responsibility to check entry requirements for any travel you plan to undertake.

Pre-travel tests are not available on the NHS and must be purchased privately from companies who offer that service. In Edinburgh, these include the following, although there may be others and none are endorsed by the University of Edinburgh:

• NHS Lothian Travel Clinic
• TrExMed Travel Clinic
• Edinburgh Travel Clinic
• Newington Pharmacy
• CityDoc
• Vivo Clinic

Countries may specify a certain type of test, ensure you confirm your chosen provider of the test can comply with this prior to paying for any testing.

Further information on entry requirements and what tests are suitable are available on the UK Government website:

• Check specific country requirements on the FCO website [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice]
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-tests-and-testing-kits-for-coronavirus-covid-19-work/for-patients-the-public-and-professional-users-a-guide-to-covid-19-tests-and-testing-kits

All Key Travel booking enquiries are being dealt with as quickly as possible. To assist with enquires, Key Travel has requested that travellers follow the advice below:

For existing bookings:

• If you booked via email or phone, contact Key Travel via email for cancellations.
• If you booked online and are trying to cancel, please make your cancellation online.

​​​Please do not send another email or call about a request you have made already as it adds to the large number of enquiries.

Information hub

Key Travel have also launched a Covid-19 Information Hub which you can visit for the latest updates and further information on bookings and amendments.  

The University Insurance Office has published a number of travel insurance questions and answers. Please visit their webpage for the most up to date information.

As published onthe ART SharePoint site, UK fieldtrips and placements due to take place in the 2020/21 academic year are expected to go ahead, subject to any local restrictions and ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.  A travel risk assessment must be completed for any travel on University of Edinburgh business, both within the UK and abroad, and this includes fieldwork. This risk assessment is mandatory and must be submitted as part of your travel insurance application. You must ensure that you follow the accompanying flow chart before completing the risk assessment and then follow your normal authorisation process prior to booking any travel or accommodation. 

Many areas are looking to incorporate outdoor teaching into the teaching timetable. A model risk assessment and accompanying guidance has been prepared to assist Schools with this and can be found on the Health and Safety Department website.

Scottish Government (SG) advise that there should be no car sharing between non-household members, this includes coming to and from work, staff should be reminded of this if applicable.

However, SG guidance does allow car sharing in a work situation but only if no other reasonable mode of transportation is viable or available and with extra mitigating factors in place including enhanced ventilation, face coverings and cleaning of vehicle. Also advise to keep to same staff using vehicle if possible.