Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Bristol – latest information and advice

The health and safety of visitors, delegates and residents within Bristol is of paramount importance to us all and we want to share ongoing advice related to COVID-19 (coronavirus) here.

For the latest news on who is open we are able to update the Visit Bristol social media channels more quickly than the website.

Follow us on: Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram

Last updated: 17 May 2021

Key information: 

• From 17 May: Social contact rules lifted for outdoor activities, up to limit of 30 people. Two households or rule-of-six for indoor hospitality and elsewhere. Cinemas, soft play centres, and hotels and guesthouses can reopen. Performances and sporting events resume. 
• All shops are allowed to open. Read more about Bristol Shopping
• Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen. Discover Bristol's Food & Drink
• Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas are permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place. Find Things to Do in Bristol
• People can attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events is capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues. View our What's On Calendar
• All holiday accommodation can open, including hotels and B&Bs. This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible). Where to Stay in Bristol
• There is no longer a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally from or to England. A traffic light system for international travel has been introduced.
• Weddings can take place with up to 30 people. Limits at funerals, wakes and significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people.
• Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres. See more Attractions in Bristol
• Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open. Read more about spa and beauty in Bristol
• Non-essential journeys between England and Wales are allowed.
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people or 2 households.

Please check business websites or social media for the most up-to-date information. 

• Find the latest COVID-19 rules and information on the official UK government website.   
• There is no longer a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally. A traffic light system for international travel has been introduced, and you must follow the rules when returning to England depending on whether you return from a red, amber or green list country.
• Please check directly with venues, businesses and attractions for up to date information.
• Guidance on prevention measures, which includes ensuring the washing of hands regularly, and using a face covering, can be found at NHS.uk
• For travellers already in the UK and who need medical advice, use the 111 online coronavirus service to get further information.  

Team VB are working hard to ensure that information on VisitBristol.co.uk is relevant and up to date. However this cannot be guaranteed due to the ever-changing nature of the current situation. Please check with restaurants, hotels, attractions and shops before visiting by calling ahead or checking their website directly.

How will coronavirus impact my travel to Bristol? 

There are changes to the public transport network to and within Bristol. Please check this page on the Travelwest website for further information.

If you are travelling to the UK you can only enter through a Government-designated port of entry, which includes Bristol Airport. You may have to quarantine on arrival, see 'Booking and staying in a quarantine hotel when you arrive in England'. Stay up to date with the latest advice on the official government website.

What is open?

We are currently gathering up to date information from attractions, accommodation and venues across the city. Please check Visit Bristol social media channels for the latest news as and when we receive it. 

As restrictions are eased in England we will update our pages with the latest opening information. You can find out more about the planned key dates in this BBC article on lockdown easing or in the COVID-19 Response Roadmap from the Government. Please note that these are all subject to confirmation nearer the time.

You can find a selection of

• Al fresco Bristol bars and restaurants
• Things to do outdoors in and around Bristol
• Bristol restaurants offering takeaway and/or delivery 

We will continue to keep this page updated as the situation changes and we find out more.

Further resources:

Visit Bristol, Meet Bristol and our member businesses are continually revising policies in line with the latest Public Health England (PHE) advice, which includes increased cleanliness and hygiene procedures as well as travel advice.

Guidance on prevention measures, which includes ensuring the washing of hands regularly, and covering your face, can be found at NHS.uk and more information can be found via the UK Government website.

Advice for tourism businesses is regularly updated by Visit Britain

Conference organisers and delegates, please check directly with any venues for up to date information.

Visit the official UK government website for the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak and advice for travellers, or take a look at the frequently asked questions on coronavirus on the National Heath Service (NHS) website

Exploring Bristol’s beautiful outdoor spaces:

Heading outdoors seems more appealing than ever. We are also a green city with over 400 parks and green spaces and have some amazing outdoor visitor attractions so it's easy to spend time outside here.

• Outdoor activities and places to visit
• Find out more about Bristol's parks and gardens
• Take a walk in some lesser known places in the city
• Bristol's best spring walks

Business event guidance for venues & industry professionals

• The visitor economy guidance includes guidance for business events and consumer shows.
• See VisitBritain’s business advice hub for a summary of the latest updates.
• Visit the Meetings Industry Association (mia) website for advice and insight regarding meetings and events.
• Find out more about VisitBritain’s We’re good to go industry trademark.
• Prime Minister’s office latest updates.

If you’d like to discuss hosting a business event in Bristol or the surrounding areas for 2021 and beyond please contact Amy Bramhall, Convention Bureau Manager on amy.bramhall@meetbristol.co.uk

Further resources:

Visit Bristol, Meet Bristol and our member businesses are continually revising policies in line with the latest Public Health England (PHE) advice, which includes increased cleanliness and hygiene procedures as well as travel advice.

Guidance on prevention measures, which includes ensuring the washing of hands regularly, and covering your face, can be found at NHS.uk and more information can be found via the UK Government website.

Advice for tourism businesses is regularly updated by Visit Britain

Conference organisers and delegates, please check directly with any venues for up to date information.

Visit the official UK government website for the latest information on the coronavirus outbreak and advice for travellers, or take a look at the frequently asked questions on coronavirus on the National Heath Service (NHS) website.