Location: United Kingdom
Event: Health Alert
U.S. Embassy London will be sending a daily update to ensure all US citizens in the United Kingdom have the latest information about COVID-19 and local conditions. Updated information will be prefaced with (NEW). If different or additional information would be useful, please email us with your suggestions at SCSLondon@state.gov.
(NEW) UK Lockdown Extended for Three Weeks
Lockdown restrictions in the UK will continue for at least the next three weeks, according to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. During a press briefing on April 16, the UK government outlined five specific tests that will need to be met before restrictions can begin to be relaxed:
- Protecting the NHS’s ability to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment
- A sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident the UK has moved beyond the peak
- Reliable data indicating the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels
- Ensuring operational challenges are in hand, including a supply of tests and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that could meet future demand
- Being confident any adjustments would not risk a second peak
Current Status of Passport Applications for Overseas Posts
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, effective March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of State began limiting its passport operations. Effective April 2, we have further limited our ability to offer routine passport and citizenship services overseas. Please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations.
If you have previously applied for a passport or citizenship service, you should expect significant delays receiving your passport and your citizenship evidence documents. Contact the U.S. Embassy London to check on the status of your passport or citizenship document such as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Please contact us if you have an emergency need to travel and we will work with you.
In an emergency, the U.S. Embassy London can assist with a passport for an adult or a minor.
We encourage you to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest updates in the United Kingdom. For American Citizen Services in the United Kingdom, please contact the U.S. Embassy London.
Information Regarding Hotel Availability in the United Kingdom
Most hotels in the UK have closed until further notice, per UK government guidance issued on March 23. Travelers are urged to reach out to directly by phone before travel to ensure specific hotels are still operating and accepting guests. The most up-to-date guidance can be found on the UK COVID-19 website.
Information Regarding Flights to the United States
Commercial flights are still available from multiple UK airports connecting to London Heathrow for direct flights to the United States. Trains from Scotland to London are also still available; however, this may change at any moment. Please check the airport and rail websites for the latest information:
The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens to enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security and health updates.
On March 23, the Prime Minister advised that people should leave home only for the following reasons:
- Shopping for basic necessities
- One form of exercise a day
- Any medical need/care for a vulnerable person
- Travelling to and from work, only if absolutely necessary
Visit the UK COVID-19 websitefor updated information.
The U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information at https://uk.usembassy.gov/.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel.
Actions to Take:
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom
33 Nine Elms Lane
London, UK SW11 8DG
+44 (0) 207-499-9000
from U.S.: 011 44 (0)20 7499-9000
SCSLondon@state.gov
https://uk.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh
+44 (0) 131 556-8315
Edinburgh-info@state.gov
U. S. Consulate General Belfast
+44 (0) 28 9038-6100
ConsularBelfast@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
United Kingdom Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
(NEW) During the COVID-19 event, the unsubscribe feature to STEP is not available.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.Location: United Kingdom
Event: Health Alert
U.S. Embassy London will be sending a daily update to ensure all US citizens in the United Kingdom have the latest information about COVID-19 and local conditions. Updated information will be prefaced with (NEW). If different or additional information would be useful, please email us with your suggestions at SCSLondon@state.gov.
(NEW) UK Lockdown Extended for Three Weeks
Lockdown restrictions in the UK will continue for at least the next three weeks, according to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. During a press briefing on April 16, the UK government outlined five specific tests that will need to be met before restrictions can begin to be relaxed:
- Protecting the NHS’s ability to provide sufficient critical care and specialist treatment
- A sustained and consistent fall in the daily death rate to be confident the UK has moved beyond the peak
- Reliable data indicating the rate of infection is decreasing to manageable levels
- Ensuring operational challenges are in hand, including a supply of tests and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that could meet future demand
- Being confident any adjustments would not risk a second peak
Current Status of Passport Applications for Overseas Posts
Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, effective March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of State began limiting its passport operations. Effective April 2, we have further limited our ability to offer routine passport and citizenship services overseas. Please consider waiting to apply until we resume normal operations.
If you have previously applied for a passport or citizenship service, you should expect significant delays receiving your passport and your citizenship evidence documents. Contact the U.S. Embassy London to check on the status of your passport or citizenship document such as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). Please contact us if you have an emergency need to travel and we will work with you.
In an emergency, the U.S. Embassy London can assist with a passport for an adult or a minor.
We encourage you to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest updates in the United Kingdom. For American Citizen Services in the United Kingdom, please contact the U.S. Embassy London.
Information Regarding Hotel Availability in the United Kingdom
Most hotels in the UK have closed until further notice, per UK government guidance issued on March 23. Travelers are urged to reach out to directly by phone before travel to ensure specific hotels are still operating and accepting guests. The most up-to-date guidance can be found on the UK COVID-19 website.
Information Regarding Flights to the United States
Commercial flights are still available from multiple UK airports connecting to London Heathrow for direct flights to the United States. Trains from Scotland to London are also still available; however, this may change at any moment. Please check the airport and rail websites for the latest information:
The Department of State encourages all U.S. citizens to enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security and health updates.
On March 23, the Prime Minister advised that people should leave home only for the following reasons:
- Shopping for basic necessities
- One form of exercise a day
- Any medical need/care for a vulnerable person
- Travelling to and from work, only if absolutely necessary
Visit the UK COVID-19 websitefor updated information.
The U.S. Mission to the United Kingdom has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information at https://uk.usembassy.gov/.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Global COVID-19 Pandemic Notice advising travelers to avoid non-essential travel.
Actions to Take:
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom
33 Nine Elms Lane
London, UK SW11 8DG
+44 (0) 207-499-9000
from U.S.: 011 44 (0)20 7499-9000
SCSLondon@state.gov
https://uk.usembassy.gov/
U.S. Consulate General Edinburgh
+44 (0) 131 556-8315
Edinburgh-info@state.gov
U. S. Consulate General Belfast
+44 (0) 28 9038-6100
ConsularBelfast@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
United Kingdom Country Information
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
(NEW) During the COVID-19 event, the unsubscribe feature to STEP is not available.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
