Know Before You Go

Updated 05/01/21

Quick Reference

• Can I visit Maidstone?
• Are things open when I get there?
• What is your current local Covid-19 rate?
• What are your local lockdown restrictions?
• Refunds and re-booking
• Know before you go
• Were Good to Go
• Hands - Face - Space

Can I visit Maidstone?

No, not right now.

National Lockdown rules apply.

Restrictions on leaving home

• England will be entering a national lockdown, the Government is instructing people to stay at home and this will be backed up with legislation 
• People will be permitted to leave home for limited reasons, including shopping for essentials, work if you cannot work from home, exercise, or to seek medical assistance.
• Shielding will begin again, those at risk will receive a letter.
• Primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges must move to online learning – except for vulnerable children and children of key workers. Nurseries will continue to be open.
• All non-essential retail, hospitality and personal care services must close, or remain closed. Restaurants can continue delivery, takeaway or click-and-collect of food and non-alcoholic drinks, but venues will no longer be able to serve takeaway or click-and-collect alcohol. 
• Essential shops and garden centres can remain open. Entertainment venues and animal attractions such as zoos must close, but the outdoor areas of venues such as heritage homes and botanical gardens can remain open, to be used for exercise. Playgrounds may also remain open.

People can exercise in a public outdoor place alone, with the people they live with, with their support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one), in a childcare bubble where providing childcare or, when alone, with one person from another household
Public outdoor places include:

• Parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests
• Public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them)
• The grounds of a heritage site
• Playgrounds

Outdoor sports venues, including tennis courts, golf courses and swimming pools, must close.

Travel

• People must not leave their home unless they have a reasonable excuse (for example, for work or education purposes). If people need to travel, they should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of their village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys made overall.
• People can only travel internationally – or within the UK – where they first have a legally permitted reason to leave home. In addition, they should consider the public health advice in the country being visited.
• People cannot leave their home or the place where they are living for holidays or overnight stays unless you have a reasonable excuse for doing so. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed. This includes staying in a second home or caravan, if that is not a primary residence.

Staying away from home overnight
You cannot leave home for holidays or stays overnight away from your main home unless permitted by law. This means that holidays in the UK and abroad are not allowed. This includes staying in a second home or caravan or staying with anyone you do not live with or are in a support bubble with. You are allowed to stay overnight away from your home if you:

• are unable to return to your main residence
• need accommodation while moving house
• need accommodation to attend a funeral or related commemorative event
• require accommodation for work purposes or to provide voluntary services
• are a child requiring accommodation for school or care
• are homeless, seeking asylum, or a vulnerable person seeking refuge
• are an elite athlete or their support staff or parent, if the athlete is under 18 and it is necessary to be outside of the home for training or competition

Are things open when I get there?

Essential services are open but you should not be travelling to this area at this time.

What is your current local covid rate?

Covid rate are changing rapidly. The BBC website https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274 allows you to see how many coronavirus cases are in your area.

What are your local lockdown restrictions?

In line with national restrictions.  Please stay at home.  Use hands, face, space rules at all times.

When the National Restrictions End 

Local Lockdown Rules

After the national Lockdown, use the council postcode ME15 6JQ to find out more about the Covid tier in the Maidstone area.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54373904 You can also check with your own postcode what your rules are locally to where you live.

Refunds and re-bookings

This is different for nearly every business and it also depends on how you booked.  However, we feel sure that our business in Maidstone will do everything they can to help you.

Know Before You Go

Maidstone tourism businesses are looking forward to welcoming back visitors and ask that you read the latest government guidelines to ensure you are fully informed about what is and what is not allowed. Please be considerate and respect guidelines which have been put in place for your own health and for those around you. Visit England have issued additional guidance, 'Planning a Holiday in England' that you may find useful.

It's Time to Enjoy Your England 

There are many places to stay from self- catering accommodation, perfect for a longer visit, or hotels and guest accommodation that are ideal for a short break. Maidstone's rural location means there are fewer crowds, so there is plenty of space for you to enjoy a change of scene. Stop by the side of the road and buy some local cherries, walk along the footpath, explore the riverside and simply benefit from this beautiful part of Kent.

Attractions will re-open, although they will have restricted services and facilities. Please check the arrangements at attractions and restaurants before you leave home. Limited numbers and advance ticketing or booking is commonplace now. By doing this you will avoid any disappointing situations and be aware of any facilities that are closed or unavailable. We endeavour to keep this website up to date with new ticket prices and opening times; however the situation changes rapidly. Each individual business has their own website with the most up to date information. Maidstone is lucky to have lots of open space and many outdoor attractions. There is a page of things to do for free, which is worth checking out.

For your Reassurance - We're Good To Go 

Many businesses have signed up to the 'We're Good To Go' Industry Standard. VisitEngland, along with the other tourist organisations of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the UK government, has launched a new industry standard mark 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.

Keep an eye out for the mark when planning your trip. A list of businesses that have achieved this standard is listed below or you can follow this link to the We're good to go map, so that you can see what is close by.

https://www.visitengland.com/planning-holiday-in-england

Hands - Face - Space. 

• Face Coverings – Learn how to put them on and off safely.  Change them regularly and wash the fabric ones frequently. Dispose of the disposable ones safely, so as not to harm wildlife.
• Hand sanitisers – Use them regularly but especially if you are unable to wash your hands.
• Hand Wash – wash hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water as per government guidelines.  Remember the Happy Birthday length tune.
• Social distancing – maintain 2 metres wherever possible.
• Don’t -  touch your face.
• Track and Trace – Scan the QR codes, which can be found everywhere, so that you can do your bit to keep your friends and family safe.