Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
- Introduction
- Risk for Travellers
- Recommendations for All Travellers
- Overview of the Disease
- The Illness
- Treatment and Testing
- Vaccination
- Further information
Introduction
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness which is spread by droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Risk for Travellers
COVID-19 is present in all countries, meaning all travellers are potentially at risk of exposure to COVID-19 illness.
Recommendations for All Travellers
All travellers, whatever the destination, are potentially at risk of developing respiratory tract infections (RTIs) which can be caused by a wide range of germs.
- The respiratory hygiene and infections page provides information on how to reduce your risk of exposure to RTIs when travelling.
- Make sure you are up to date with booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine if you are eligible.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) details current entry requirements for UK travellers, including information about COVID-19 restrictions if these were re-implemented at short notice.
- Make sure you always check the FCDO foreign travel advice for your destination(s) regularly before and during travel.
- COVID-19 rules (if any) can be found in the 'entry requirements' section of each country page
Travel insurance is essential. Always check your policy for exclusions as some may not cover claims related to COVID-19.
Overview of the Disease
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a range of illnesses, from mild (common cold) to more severe infections, like MERS-CoV and SARS.
In December 2019 China discovered a new coronavirus causing chest infections in people in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China. This infection was named COVID-19 and the virus causing it is called SARS-CoV-2. Through international travel the infection spread globally and on 11 March 2020 the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
COVID-19 spreads from person to person through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- If you are physically near the person when they cough or sneeze (within 2 metres) these droplets might land in your eyes, nose or mouth and cause infection.
- You can also catch the infection if you touch surfaces or objects which infected droplets have landed on, and then touch your face, eyes or mouth.
The Illness
COVID-19 can present with a range of symptoms, and these changed through the course of the pandemic with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Symptoms of COVID-19 can start up to 14 days after catching the virus. Most people with COVID-19 have a mild illness, or no symptoms, and fully recover.
Common symptoms include:
- cough
- headache
- muscle aches
- tiredness
COVID-19 can also cause symptoms lasting weeks or months after the acute infection has resolved. This is often referred to as "long COVID".
Treatment and Testing
Most COVID-19 infections get better without any treatment. For those at risk of severe infection or who require admission to hospital, therapies that make the illness less severe and save lives are available.
Antibiotics do not work because it is a viral infection.
Testing
There is no requirement to test for COVID but, if you need a diagnosis for personal reasons, self-test kits can be purchased. There is no need to report the result.
There are no countries which continue to impose COVID-related restrictions for travellers (testing or vaccinations).
Vaccination
Information on COVID-19 vaccines, including eligibility and how to arrange an appointment for vaccination is available from:
- NHS inform: The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
- NHS UK: COVID-19 vaccination services
COVID-19 vaccines are not provided on the NHS for the purposes of travel. COVID-19 vaccines may be available to purchase privately from some pharmacies and private travel clinics.
Further Information
Further information on COVID-19 is available from the World Health Organization