Brits told not to travel outside UK at Christmas with international travel ‘not recommended’

BRITS have been banned from flying abroad for Christmas under even stricter Covid rules coming in from midnight tonight.

Travel rules had been relaxed for anyone living in Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas after lockdown lifted on December 2 – meaning people could see loved ones abroad.

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While those in Tier 3 Covid hotspots were told they could only jet off for work, education or caring responsibilities – although holidays were not against the law.

But the government is now advising against all international travel as Christmas is cancelled for millions.

New restrictions plunging some Brits into Tier 4 lockdown rules will come in from midnight tonight in a blow for potential holidaymakers.

Addressing the nation today, Boris Johnson said: "We are asking everyone in all tiers to stay local.

"People should carefully consider whether they should travel abroad.

"Those in Tier 4 will not be permitted to travel abroad apart from work purposes."

London, the South East and East are being moved to a new Tier 4 lockdown different households now banned from mixing.

Families elsewhere are only allowed to form ‘Christmas bubbles’ on December 25 itself, Boris Johnson announced tonight.

The new tier is similar to national lockdown where all travel was banned.

But the “stay at home” message will now be law under the new stricter measures.

Boris Johnson had insisted just five days ago that festive bubbles would go ahead despite mounting pressure after a new mutant strain of Covid was identified.

The variant can spread more rapidly and has been blamed for a sudden surge in hospitalisations.

And there are fears people are catching the virus despite wearing PPE and socially distancing.

The travel industry has been battered by the pandemic this year with the introduction of air bridges coming as a welcome relief to holidaymakers.

A new scheme will also let people cut travel-quarantine time down from 14 days to five – as long as they get swabbed and test negative after the five days of self-isolation.

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