Travelling from England to Northern Ireland

[London1305f]

I live in England and due to restrictions, I haven’t seen my Mum (in Belfast) for nearly a year. Does anyone have a feel for when we will be permitted to travel domestically? My mum lives alone and I’m hoping I will be allowed to travel by the summer but worried that England may not open up to Northern Ireland and vice versa by then.

Really don’t understand why this is a worry. Both Stormount and London will want to not create an artificial border. The only issue will be whether non essential travel is allowed within the UK

Scotland might introduce nonsensical barriers but it’s politically toxic to try that in NI. Because it will result in division and acrimony. Which is of course why the SNP will want it.

I’m in a similar but almost reversed situation. I live in NI, but my family and second home is in Scotland. I haven’t seen my folks since last summer.

We were hoping to get back at half term, but obviously that hasn’t happened. We were then hoping for Easter, but nothing is opening or changing here until at least April 1st, which is already into the Easter holidays here.

Technically you shouldn’t be travelling from England until guidance changes, except for essential purposes (which are somewhat ill defined).

I am despairing. I’m desperate to go and see my elderly parents. We moved here 6 months before the first lockdown and know hardly anyone here except my husband and dc. I’m clinging to sanity by a thread at this point.

In the same boat - live in England but desperate to get back to see elderly parents in NI who I last saw last summer. My heart is breaking. Still processing the Commons statement to try and work out whether we can travel to see them at Easter. However, it also depends on the restrictions in NI.

Yes, I’m doing the same. The summer seems so far away still. I’m hoping I can travel before then.

Where I have got to so far with my thinking is that, assuming all goes the right way in terms of data etc, the earliest we could legally go is when the stay home requirement in England is lifted (assuming the stay local rule which replaces it is guidance, rather than a legal requirement). But then the question is where do you stay, assuming there is no household mixing indoors in NI etc and no self catering places or hotels are open. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the English Easter holidays but who knows.

I'm desperate to see my elderly father who lives in N I but I'm just waiting on him getting his second vaccine in April, then hopefully we will see him in the summer.x

Sorry to revive; did anyone actually decide to travel from England to NI, now some restrictions have lifted in England on 12 April?

I know some people have travelled, without issue. One person was stopped and questioned why, they said for caring responsibilities (they were going to help a sibling with childcare), but others not questioned at all.

Thank you.

I am desperate to go and visit my Mum who lives alone and has had both vaccines, but don’t know when I will be allowed or how it works as I believe Northern Ireland has a mandatory 10 day quarantine period for people entering the country

But you wouldn't be entering the country - you're already IN the country.

No, @titchy I’d be travelling from England to Northern Ireland

Yes - they're both in the same country - the UK. NI isn't a separate country to England.

DMIL and DBIL came over for Easter and the plane was rammed- their flight was from London the day before Good Friday and it seemed very few of the passengers were travelling for work. No one was asked their reasons for travelling, same on the return journey. We did the reverse trip in November for a funeral and again, zero questions.

@Piglet89

Sorry to revive; did anyone actually decide to travel from England to NI, now some restrictions have lifted in England on 12 April?

I travelled from Belfast to Gatwick on 11th March, for a valid reason (renovation of rental property). I returned on 6th April. Both flights were with Easyjet. I expected lots of controls etc and took papers with my to prove my validity. However, nobody stopped me or asked me any questions on both flights. On the first light, apart from masks there was social distancing on the aircraft. ie, only alternate rows were occupied, and only one person per row. On the return flight, the aircraft was packed. Every row was filled, three people per row.

So if that (full rows) makes you nervous, it's the only thing to worry about. If you are allowed to visit relatives in England the same will apply in NI as far as I can tell.

If you are travelling into NI from within the common travel area you must self isolate for 10 days as per pha guidelines. Though it does say your household doesn't have to isolate so I suppose if you are willing to take the risk and travel here to stay with your parents then you can see them while isolating in their house but you can't go out anywhere else.

@Smurf123

If you are travelling into NI from within the common travel area you must self isolate for 10 days as per pha guidelines. Though it does say your household doesn't have to isolate so I suppose if you are willing to take the risk and travel here to stay with your parents then you can see them while isolating in their house but you can't go out anywhere else.

The OP lives in England. It is the same country. She does not need to self-isolate.

If you are travelling into NI from within the common travel area you must self isolate for 10 days as per pha guidelines.

This is not correct. The CTA includes both NI and GB. No testing or isolation is required within that area.

Nidirect specifically mentions if you are travelling to Northern Ireland from within the common travel areas - England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland you must isolate for 10 days unless excempt - travelling to visit family is not an exemption.
I'm not getting into arguments about whether it is or is not a different country but the guidance is clear in Northern Ireland. If you are travelling from a different region outside of NI you should isolate (and should only travel in or out of NI if you have an essential reason to do so)

I specifically called them up before travelling and asked. They told me no.

My auntie and uncle have been over from belfast twice since last march to see my grandparents (england). Suppose was classed as caring responsibility as they are both very unwell and my nanna likely in last few months. No questions were asked and they didn't have to isolate. They are coming again in a few weeks