Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go

Amidst the fast-changing situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, we want to keep all Lancashire visitors, past, present and future, as up to date as possible. Our number one priority is the health and wellbeing of all our visitors, staff and colleagues.

To keep everyone safe, it is imperative that you ‘Know Before You Go’. So, check out our in-depth guide below around domestic travel, along with the latest government advice, so you’re in the know before you go.

Where can I visit now?

A new national industry standard has been launched as a way of supporting tourism businesses and providing reassurance to visitors. The industry standard is a way of letting you know which businesses have made necessary changes to their day-to-day workings, including social distancing measures and staff training. If you don’t spot this mark, then take a look at their website and social media where you should find all the necessary precautions.

Keep an eye out for the mark when planning your trip online.

What’s open?

All tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, museums, libraries, galleries and hotels are due to open 4th July.

If you are looking to head out to one of these venues you must be aware that each one will have different rules depending on the space they have. Here are some best practices that you are likely to experience:

• One-way system around the venue

• You may have to pre-book your visit and there may be a time/person limit

• You will only be able to be within your household or bubble group

• You will be advised remain in your seats as much as possible throughout the duration of your booking slot at an eatery/bar

• You may have to queue outside before entering as members of staff carry out necessary cleaning and precautions

• You will be asked to give your name/number to which the venue will keep a record in case there is a small outbreak to which you will be notified of the necessary actions you will need to take.

Spas, leisure centres and certain tourist attractions are currently unable to re-open, despite this many of these businesses are looking to redefine so they are able to open, please check directly to confirm this.

How to respect, protect and enjoy Lancashire

When out and about, we need to remember to look after ourselves, one another and the environment around us. So, to make sure we’re all doing our bit to tread lightly and travel responsibly, we’ve put together a few simple steps to help you enjoy your days out as safely as possible. Find out more by following #respectprotectenjoy.

• When planning your trip, check that important facilities – like toilets and car parks – are open before you travel so you’re not caught short.

• If you have an attraction in mind, please check online to see if you need to pre-book a time slot.

• Some places may be extremely popular, so get off the beaten track and discover a hidden gem that you can brag to friends about.

• Keep two metres apart from anyone outside your household (one metre plus from the 4th July) – this not only applies to walking, but running, cycling, sitting and sunbathing too.

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 do not leave your house. Similarly, do not leave home if NHS Track and Trace have contacted you and advised you to stay home.

• Wear your face covering at all times when on public transport like buses, trains, taxis, and minicabs.

• Make sure you have a bank card; many outlets are currently only accepting cashless payments – and you don’t want to miss out on that ice cream!

• Take hand sanitiser with you – you don’t know where will be open for you to wash your hands.

• Leave the car behind where possible and visit nearby attractions by walking or cycling.

And here are a few more for you to bear in mind when exploring Lancashire’s outdoor spaces:

• Let's try our best to keep Lancashire’s outdoor spaces looking beautiful by putting all rubbish in the nearest bins or taking it home if bins are full.

• Whilst enjoying the great outdoors more, you’re likely to come across wildlife (cute!). Try not to disturb them, or any farm animals for that matter. Keep your four-legged friend on a lead and remember to bag and bin any mess they leave behind.

• Don't use disposable barbecues as they risk causing wildfires.

• Stick to designated footpaths and follow local signage for restrictions on routes.

The Government has published guidance for England on what people should do if they are on holiday in an area with local coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, or live in a restricted area and are planning on taking a holiday outside the area. Advice for accommodation providers has also been updated to cover this scenario and can be found in the Working Safely guidance. 

The guidance for individuals covers:

Staying inside the area

Steps you should take:

• If you live inside the area, you should only socialise indoors with members of your own household or support bubble.

• You can only stay in a private home - which includes self-catered accommodation such as holiday cottages, apartments or boats - with members of your own household or support bubble.

• You can stay in a hotel or similar accommodation (for example, a hostel or bed and breakfast) with another household, but should avoid sharing rooms with people you do not live with or otherwise socialising indoors, for example in each other's rooms, in reception areas, or in restaurants and bars.

• Sharing a caravan with another household is being advised against. You should not share private vehicles to travel to your holiday destination.

• You can travel into an area with local restrictions on holiday. Whilst inside the area, you should follow the guidance set out above.

Travelling outside the area

Steps you should take:

• If you live inside an area with local restrictions, you can go on holiday outside that area but you should only socialise indoors with members of your own household or support bubble.

• You can only stay in a private home - which includes self-catered accommodation such as holiday cottages, apartments or boats - with members of your own household or support bubble.

• You can stay in a hotel or similar accommodation (for example, a hostel or bed and breakfast) with another household but should avoid sharing rooms with people you do not live with or otherwise socialising indoors, for example in each other's rooms, in reception areas, or in restaurants and bars.

• Sharing a caravan or boat with another household is being advised against. You should not share private vehicles to travel to your holiday destination.

Advice for accommodation providers in the Working Safely guidance is as follows: 

• People resident inside an area with local restrictions are advised to only socialise indoors with members of their own household or support bubble.

• People resident inside an area with local restrictions can go on holiday outside that area, but whilst there should only socialise indoors with members of their own household or support bubble.

• They must only stay in a private home - which includes self-catered accommodation such as holiday cottages, apartments or boats - with members of their own household or support bubble.

• People can stay in a hotel or similar accommodation (for example, a hostel or bed and breakfast) with another household but should avoid sharing rooms with people they do not live with or otherwise socialising indoors, for example in each other’s rooms, in reception areas, or in restaurants and bars. Sharing a caravan with another household is advised against.

• At the time that local restrictions are brought in, if you are currently on holiday with another household in an area with local restrictions and are staying in a private home - which includes self-catered accommodation such as holiday cottages, apartments or boats - and it is not reasonable for you to curtail your stay, you should finish your holiday as planned. Until the end of this holiday, you should make every effort to reduce socialising indoors outside of your household and follow local regulations and guidance. 

Responsibilities of the accommodation provider: 

• Within the area, you should not intentionally facilitate interaction between more than one household/support bubble indoors. This includes renting rooms in your private home to holiday makers.

• Outside the area, you should not intentionally facilitate interaction indoors between more than one household/support bubble from within an area with local restrictions. This includes renting rooms in your private home to holiday-makers. Those not complying with these responsibilities may be at risk of the premises being closed.

• All accommodation providers are encouraged to consider their approach towards guests from inside areas with local restrictions. You may wish to communicate to all customers with existing bookings, reminding them of the law and giving them a chance to cancel their bookings if they intend on travelling with another household.

• If guests are not able to take a planned holiday due to local restrictions, the Government is encouraging they offer alternative dates if this can be agreed with the customer. If this cannot be arranged, they are encouraging businesses to provide a refund as they have for customers during the broader period of national restrictions, which may depend on the terms of the booking contract.

• If a booking is cancelled, either by the guest or the provider, the Government is encouraging the offer of alternative dates if this can be agreed with the customer or, if not possible, the provision of a refund as you have for customers during the broader lockdown period, (subject to the terms of the booking contract). 

Business meetings and events: 

People should only socialise indoors within their own households or support bubbles in areas with local restrictions. However, businesses and venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines can host groups, if this is in accordance with the relevant guidance for their sector. This includes hosting business meetings and events of up to 30 people in permitted venues