Coronavirus Updates: Information for Visitors

Latest Updates:

As a destination we are committed to responsible tourism and want to do everything in our power to ensure the health and safety of all visitors.

As our businesses begin to reopen in 2021, see our list of what there is to do and when here.

See our Know Before You Go guide to visiting responsibly here.

With restrictions changing regularly please check national guidance. Here are the latest updates for our area:

England:

From Monday 17th May 2021:
Sectors able to reopen include:
• Indoor hospitality, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcoholic drinks, and no curfew. You must order, eat and drink while seated.
• Indoor entertainment, such as museums, cinemas and children’s play areas.
• All holiday accommodation including hotels, hostels and B&Bs.
• Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas.
• Outdoor activities, sports and attractions including outdoor hospitality, zoos, theme parks, drive-in cinemas/performances/events.
• All retail.
• Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes; and some large events, including conferences, theatre and concert performances and sports events. 
• Weddings, receptions, funerals, and commemorative events including wakes can proceed with up to 30 attendees. 
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
• There are no restrictions on travel between England and Wales are lifted including overnight stays.

From Monday 21st June 2021 at the earliest:
With appropriate mitigations in place, by Step 4, the Government aims to remove all legal limits on social contact, reopen the remaining closed settings, including nightclubs and enable large events, theatre performances, above the Step 3 capacity restrictions (subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme) and remove all limits on weddings and other life events, subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme.

Find out more about the UK Government's announcements here.

Wales:

From Monday 17th May 2021:
Sectors able to reopen include:
• Indoor hospitality, 6 people from up to 6 households (not including children under 11) can book a table.
• All holiday accommodation can re-open fully.
• Entertainment venues, including cinemas, bingo halls, bowling alleys, indoor-play areas, casinos, amusement arcades, and theatres can re-open.
• Indoor visitor attractions, including museums and galleries can re-open.
• Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people can again take place.
• Weddings receptions can take place outdoors for to 30 people.
• All indoor retail.

Up to 30 people can take part in organised indoor activities and up to 50 people in organised outdoor activities. This includes wedding receptions and wakes.

Find out more about the Welsh Government's latest announcement.

Travelling to the Dean Wye:

Wherever you live please follow the latest government instructions about travelling out of your area including for overnight stays. 

Please read: Know Before You Go: Our Guide to Visiting the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Responsibly here.

Find the latest information about COVID-19 on the official UK government website here.

The UK’s national tourism agency, Visit Britain has compiled additional advice and information about travelling in the UK here.

If you plan on travelling to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley please do so with caution, common sense and consideration for the people who live here. They want to be able to go out into their local area in safety too.

See all of the ways you can continue to support our local businesses here including taking part in virtual events, purchasing gift vouchers and booking a delivery or takeaway.

Please Remember:

• If you show any symptoms or have been around anyone with symptoms the guidance is to self-isolate, so please do not travel.
• Maintain social distancing at all times, please be considerate to others and please always follow official guidance.
• Our What's On page may list events which have been cancelled. We will try to update it as best we can but please do check the event's official website before travelling.
• If you are a local business see our key links information on local business support and guidance here.
• Please follow us on social media to keep up to date with our latest announcements, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you back to the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley in due course.