The UK Government has introduced new measures for all Passengers arriving to England from all international destinations, to help protect against new strains of coronavirus circulating internationally. The measures in place include;
- All international arrivals to England by boat, plane or train, including UK nationals, required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours prior to departure. This will apply irrespective of whether or not a country is on the travel corridor list.
- Passengers will be subject to an immediate fine of £500 if they fail to comply with the new regulations on pre-departure testing.
- All passengers arriving from countries not on the UK government’s travel corridor list must self-isolate for 10 days regardless of their pre-departure test result, to provide further robust protection from those travelling from high-risk countries.
- Prior to departure passengers will need to present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result to carriers, as well as their passenger locator form. The UK Border Force will conduct spot checks on arrival into England to ensure that passengers are fully compliant.
- The National lockdown restrictions which came into force on 6th January 2021 remain in place meaning everyone must stay at home unless travelling for a very limited set of reasons, including for work.
- Passengers arriving into England who have successfully demonstrated a negative result prior to departure from a country not on the travel corridor list, will still have the option to reduce the self-isolation period from 10 to as little as 5 days by paying for a test through the Test to Release scheme. The scheme requires a test to be taken on or after the fifth full day since leaving a country not on the travel corridor list.
- There will be a limited number of exemptions, including for hauliers, children under 11, crews and for those who travelling from countries without the infrastructure available to deliver the tests. Further exemptions will be set out on GOV.UK.
- For more information on the national lockdown rules and other updates on the Corona Virus status in the UK please visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus