What social media influencers should know before flying off for ‘essential’ work

With the UK still under strict lockdown restrictions, some members of the public have experienced feelings of resentment towards the celebrity influencers who appear to be taking advantage of the travel rules and visiting luxurious destinations for ‘essential’ work purposes.

However, similar to how the online lifestyle photos you see don’t reflect real life, the consequences of travelling against Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) advice aren’t so glamourous either.

Here, Fiona Macrae, head of consumer awareness initiative, travelinsuranceexplained.co.uk, shines a light on the risks influencers might not have considered before they packed their swimming costumes.

Do they have proof that their work is legit?

It’s all very well using work as an excuse for a holiday in the sun, but the reality is, those who flout the rules could face serious consequences for doing so.

Some countries require tourists to obtain a temporary working visa in order to legally work there. Therefore, employers must make sure they follow the rules of the country their employee is sent to, and these can vary from destination to destination. It is not unheard of for some countries to enforce fines, imprisonment, or deportation for those who are caught working while on a visit visa.

Additionally, anyone who requires emergency medical attention or needs to submit a claim upon their return runs the risk of not being covered if they are unable to provide proof that their trip was essential to their insurer.

Do they have the right travel insurance?

UK travellers should only be travelling abroad if they have a legally permitted reason to do so, such as for essential work purposes. As a result, anyone travelling for work reasons must make sure either their employer has arranged adequate cover, or those who are self-employed have appropriate business cover within their insurance policy. Travellers may not be covered on standard leisure travel insurance policies, if any work is being undertaken. However, some providers do offer this cover, but it is not regarded as standard cover within leisure policies, so Brits will need to check the cover they have bought before leaving the country.

It is also worth noting, should an incident happen, which results in a claim, the claim may not be successful without proof to the insurer that the trip is/was essential.

And while there are a number of insurance providers offering cover for travellers to visit countries the FCDO advises against, it’s worth being aware that these policies typically come with several other limitations which could void a policy altogether, if not read carefully. For example, they generally have no protection for any pre-existing medical conditions, no cover for claims as a result of mental health issues, and no cover for denial of boarding should anyone test positive for Covid-19 and have to isolate in the country.

Are they aware of the dangers of travelling against FCDO advice?

Aside from the obstacles of getting the right documents to enter a country, there’s also the fact that the world is currently in the grip of a global pandemic and travelling to countries that the FCDO advise against could be dangerous.

Influencers who require medical treatment in a country that is overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases risk detrimental consequences to their health, let alone not being covered for these costs by their travel insurer.

Countries experiencing pressures on their state healthcare system may push tourists to private hospitals for help. Most travel insurance policies do not cover private care treatment, and so the delay in receiving treatment while finding a suitable hospital could impact their health. Additionally, the FCDO has made it clear it will not offer support of alternative transport or accommodation in countries it has advised people to avoid. So, influencers could end up stranded in a country overseas without any means or help of getting home.

Lastly, many influencers have received criticism online for travelling to glamourous destinations while the rest of us isolate at home. This backlash could have an effect on their mental health and require them to seek help while they’re away. Some countries around the world have poor mental health facilities and do not recognise health anxiety the way we do in the UK. Therefore, those in need may be treated differently than how we would expect to be treated in the UK.

At the end of the day, it is down to each of us to take responsibility for our own actions. And we would urge anyone considering travelling abroad during this time to consider if the risks are worth it.