There is no legal requirement on Devon and Cornwall businesses to check where guests live or to refuse to service people from England’s highest level of coronavirus restrictions.
That’s according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
It comes after a tourism boss in Devon called for more clarity on government guidance, and said accommodation providers “had to rely on people sticking to guidance that they should not travel”.
Sally Everton, from Visit Devon, added: “Those areas are in lockdown and I’m trying to believe those people will remain in lockdown.”
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, has urged all his members to call guests in advance to find out where they are from and has criticised the government’s tier system.
A DHSC spokesperson said the travel restrictions are guidance rather than legislation “so there are no penalties on either party”.
They added: “We advise against people from ‘Covid Alert Level: Very High’ areas travelling outside their local area, but there are reasons people could need to do so, including for things like work, education, or caring responsibilities.
“If travel and overnight stays are essential, people must only do so within their own household/support bubble.”