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 exemtions, 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. Please see the GOV.UK website for more information.

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

For those arriving in the UK after Monday 8^th June 2020, the UK Government has implemented a period of self-isolation which is outlined below. 

There is a list of exempt countries or territories which can be found on the Scottish Government website. Travellers from these destinations are not required to self-isolate. This list is continuously reviewed and countries can be taken off or added at any time so it is the individual’s responsibility to ensure they check the list for up-to-date information before travel.

Before travelling to the UK

From Monday 18th January (updated as initally was from Friday 15th), you must have a valid negative test result before arrivigin in the UK - please see https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-public-health-checks-at-borders/pages/testing-for-people-travelling-to-scotland/ for specifics relating to type of test as well as how the results must be shown. There are limited exemptions to this requirement listed at the link above.

If you will be entering the UK (except from certain exempt countries which can be found on the Scottish Government website)​ you must complete an on-line passenger locator form, and do so 48 hours before you arrive in the UK. You cannot submit the form before then. You must provide details about your journey and your contact details in the UK. 

You will need to show your completed form when you arrive at the UK border, either by printing a copy, or by showing it on your phone. If you do not complete the form, or refuse to do so, you may be fined. If you are unable to demonstrate where you will self-isolate, you may be required to do so in accommodation arranged by the UK Government. Further information is available on the UK Government website.

Arriving in the UK

When you arrive at the UK border you will need to show that you’ve completed the form with your journey and contact details.

You will then be required to self-isolate for 10 days. You must go straight to and stay at the address you provided on the passenger locator form. Your friends or family can collect you from the airport, port or station. You must only use public transport if you have no other option. 

You must wear a face covering (i.e. something which covers your mouth and nose) and comply with physical distancing measures when using public transport in England and Scotland. More information on wearing face coverings on public transport 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.

 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. 

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

After 31 July, 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, 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.