The City of London is a world leader in business and services where companies and experts worldwide meet and do business. Since the pandemic, the travel guideline of business travellers has had some changes. If London is your next business trip’s destination, this blog post will be an essential guideline that includes everything business travellers need to know before they arrive in London.
Covid Restriction in London
The UK is one of the countries that got hit hard by Covid-19. Due to the high number of deaths from the pandemic, the country has been in multiple lockdowns since 2019. Based on LondonAssembly’s data, on 2nd December 2021, the daily number of new people who tested positive for Covid-19 in London was reported as 6,901. The total number of Covid-19 cases reported up to recent date in London is 1,308,170 people.
Due to the new Covid variant – Omicron, Covid rules in the UK have been strengthened once again. It is essential to understand London’s current situation and regulations, especially for international business travellers. There are currently no travelling restrictions if you arrive in London within the UK. However, UK Government stated that this could change if needed.
Face coverings are a legal requirement in shops and on public transport. This has been stated in the law. So please make sure you don’t forget your face mask while travelling around London.
If you travel to London from outside the UK, it is essential to know the rules before your arrival. Currently, there are ten countries added to UK’s travel red list, which include:
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- Zimbabwe
- Namibia
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Angola
If you travel from red list countries
Suppose you have been in a country or territory on the red list in the ten days before your arrival. In that case, unfortunately, you will only be allowed to enter the UK if you’re a British or Irish Citizen or if you have residence rights in the UK. For more information on preparing for your arrival from a red list country, please follow the official Government guidance.
If you travel from non-red list countries
Travellers are required to be fully vaccinated before entering the UK. They must also be able to show the vaccination proof before travelling. Fully vaccinated passengers travelling to the UK won’t have to a Covid test before setting off. This applies to the list of countries and territories with approved Covid-19 proof of vaccination for travel to England. To check if your country is on the list, visit the official UK government website here.
Upon your arrival, fully vaccinated passengers travelling to the UK must take a lateral flow test two days after coming to the UK. They must order and pay for the kit privately before entering the country. NHS Covid testing kits are not acceptable in this case. You can find approved Covid travel test kit providers on UK Gov’s website here.
Travellers are also required to complete a passenger locator form online 48 hours before they arrive in the UK. To find out more information about the passenger locator form and to start filling your form online, please visit the official Government’s website.
What if you’re not fully vaccinated?
UK Government states that if travellers don’t qualify as fully vaccinated, they must quarantine on arrival in England in 10 days. They can also participate in the Test to Release scheme for unvaccinated passengers to England to shorten their quarantine.
Jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
Some people are exempt from some or all COVID-19 travelling restrictions because of their job. Please visit this Government guidance to determine if you’re qualified for an exemption.
Transportation in London
London is the biggest city in the UK, with one of the largest urban transport networks in the world. There are several ways to travel around London. In summary, you can choose to travel to your desired destination by public transports or private hire. In this travel guideline, we will introduce transportation options in London.
Black Cab
London’s iconic black cab is a fast way to get to your desired destination. It is convenient with door-to-door services and pre-booking system. If the rush-hour crowd is not your thing, you can consider taxis and minicabs transportation options.
As for travellers willing to take an extra mile for the environment, electric black cabs is also available for pre-booking. ComCab black taxi fleet has access to London’s bus lanes, meaning you get there faster.
Executive transportation
If you want to arrive at the meeting in style and stress-free, hiring an executive vehicle with a chauffeur could be a good option for you. City Fleet networks offer professional ground transportation services for corporations. To discover their executive fleet, visit their website here.
Public Transportation
London has various public transportation options for travellers. You can travel around six zones of London through a web of underground tubes, overground trains, and buses.
Co-Working Spaces
If you’re looking for a quiet place to work in London with a desk, good coffee, and stable Wi-Fi, keep reading. We’ll introduce you to some best cafes, libraries and no membership co-working spaces that you can visit while doing business in London.
- The Hoxton Hotel
The Hoxton is a series of open-house hotels in Europe and the USA. The Hoxton’s co-working space, Working From_, is described as like working from home, without the distractions. Whether you’re working with a team or just need a desk for the day, Working From_’s got you. With several locations in London, you can easily visit one of the co-working spaces to enjoy a friendly yet professional working environment. Visit their website to check out all benefits you’ll get when you sign up for a desk at the Working From_.
2. Uncommon
Uncommon co-working space offers day passes from £40 from 5 locations around London. Simply pay for the time you need with no strings attached, work with lighting-speed internet and join the community event to make the most of your London’s business trip. To book your desk, visit their website here.
3. The Brew
Just want to book a desk for a couple of hours? The Brew got you covered. With just £1.75 per hour, you can book a hot desk at the “coffice” for a working desk with a tremendous café-style atmosphere. Find your next working desk in London on their website here.
Entertainment in London
Whether you travel to London for pleasure or business, sightseeing is something that an out-of-towner cannot miss while they’re in town. As one of the world’s capitals of culture, London has many attractions to offer travellers.
If you have some free time on your business trip, museum discovering is a good idea as most of the city’s museums and galleries is accessible to entry. Whether you’re a fan of natural history or art, London’s museums cover many special exhibitions that one can experience. If learning about culture and history is on your list while you’re in London, why not check out the top 26 free museums in London?
However, if you love live entertainment, exciting food and pulsing nightlife, Soho is a must-visit destination for you while you’re in town. Soho is in the heart of London’s West End, where you can easily explore on foot. Some interesting London areas within walking distance of Soho include Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Chinatown, and Oxford Street. Soho is a perfect place for you to enjoy both a day out with good food, lovely scenery and a fun night out with a good selection of pubs and bars. Travellers can also find an incredible line-up of West End musicals, classic plays, and comedies in Soho.
For travellers who prefer to enjoy experiencing through street sceneries, we highly recommend the Queen’s Walk. This walk covers the areas from Tower Bridge to Westminster Bridge. The path winds alongside the River Thames and may take you up to a few hours to complete. The Queen’s Walk path is beloved by not only tourists but also by Londoners.
ComCab offers unrivalled coverage and flexibility to London’s business community and valued private clients within the city and surrounding areas. Whether you travel to London for business or pleasure, you can travel safely and stress-free with ComCab. Get in touch with one of our team members to start planning your journey today!
