Covid: When can I go on holiday abroad or in the UK?

It is still too early to book a foreign summer holiday, the transport secretary has said.

Grant Shapps told the BBC there were still lots of questions about how safe travel will be.

The earliest date people from England will be able to travel abroad for a holiday is 17 May.

This will be dependent on four tests being met - including the vaccine rollout going smoothly and no surge in Covid-related hospital admissions.

At the moment, foreign holidays are not allowed and returning travellers have to quarantine.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said foreign travel would "not be achievable before 17 May". She added "it may well not be possible for a further period after that".

Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced plans for allowing foreign holidays.

In England, the "stay at home" rule will end on 29 March.

But holidays within the UK won't be allowed until 12 April at the earliest. Again, that will only happen if the government is satisfied its four tests are being met.

If that is the case, people will be able to stay away from home with other members of their household, or bubble, in self-contained accommodation, such as a holiday cottage.

Hotels and B&Bs are set to open for holidaymakers in England on 17 May at the earliest.

But no more than six people or two households will be able to stay together indoors. The earliest that all restrictions on mixing could be lifted is 21 June.

In Scotland, the "stay at home" rule will end on 2 April but people will be asked to "stay local". Travel within mainland Scotland will be allowed from 26 April, when tourist accommodation can also reopen with restrictions in place.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she hoped travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK would resume around the same time.

Wales and Northern Ireland have not yet announced their travel rules.

Holiday travel is not allowed in the UK, or abroad.

Anyone travelling abroad has to fill in a "Declaration to Travel" form, stating a valid reason for leaving the country, such as education or work.

Journeys within England are only allowed for limited reasons, such as exercise, essential shopping, volunteering and work that cannot be done from home.

You cannot stay overnight anywhere outside your main residence unless you have a "reasonable excuse" for doing so, such as visiting your support bubble.

Most accommodation and holiday providers are offering flexible booking policies. This should be laid out in their terms and conditions.

The UK watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), suggests you should usually get your money back if coronavirus restrictions scupper your holiday plans.

It says this would be the case if a business cancels your booking, or can't provide the service due to lockdown laws, or you can't go on a booked holiday because the rules would make it illegal. The CMA says you should receive a full refund under most circumstances, with non-refundable deposits "likely to be unfair, and therefore unenforceable".

If you decide to cancel a holiday due to government guidance, the CMA suggests you should not face "disproportionately high" charges. These should only cover the amount of money the business can expect to lose.

Vouchers or postponement can be offered, but you are not obliged to accept these instead of a cash refund.

A few insurance policies will cover you if you miss a holiday because you have been diagnosed with coronavirus, or because you are required to self-isolate, as long as you already held the policy.

If the holiday provider refuses to pay or goes bust and you paid by credit card you can claim from your card company for services not rendered under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. You must have spent between £100 and £30,000 to be eligible.

If you paid on debit card, you may be able to secure a refund under the chargeback scheme.