The government has announced further action for outbound and
inbound passengers to minimise travel across international
borders and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
While the focus is on protecting the UK’s world-leading
vaccination programme, this action will reduce the risk of a new
variant of the virus being transmitted from someone coming into
the UK.
The measures announced today include:
For those wishing to travel out of the
UK
-
Declaring reason for travel:
anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will
be directed to return home and may face a fine. The reason for
travel will be checked.
-
Increased police enforcement:
there will be an increased police presence at ports and
airports, fining those in breach of the stay at home
regulations. Anyone without valid reason for travel will be
directed to return home and may face a fine.
-
Reviewing travel exemptions:
the list of travel exemptions will be urgently reviewed
so that only the most important and exceptional reasons are
included.
For those seeking to enter the UK
-
Managed isolation in hotels:
this will be for those arriving from countries where we
have imposed international travel bans and who cannot be
refused entry. They will be required to isolate for ten days
without exception and more details will be provided in due
course.
-
Police checks: police are
carrying out more physical checks at addresses to make sure
people are self-isolating.
Home Secretary said:
“There are still too many people coming in and out of our
country each day. The rules are clear - people should be staying
at home unless they have a valid reason to leave. Going on
holiday is not a valid reason.
“As we have done throughout this global health emergency,
we will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the
public and help prevent the spread of the virus.”
These new measures are on top of the restrictions already
in place, all of which help reduce the risk of importing a new
variant.
-
Refusing entry: we will
continue to refuse entry to non-UK residents from red list
countries which are already subject to a UK travel ban.
-
Entering
the UK: passengers arriving in the UK
need to provide evidence of a negative pre-departure Covid
test. There is also the requirement for people arriving from
abroad to self-isolate on arrival, and the requirement to
complete a passenger locator form, with fines for those who
fail to comply.
-
Detecting new variants: we
will help other countries to access to the UK’s
world-leading gene sequencing capabilities to help with
early identification of any new and dangerous variants of the
virus.
All measures will be kept under review and further action
will be taken to protect the public if needed.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Travel bans to the UK: People
who have been in or transited through the countries
listed in the last 10 days will not be granted access to the
UK.
