Registered health and care professionals travelling to
the UK from high-risk countries will be required to self-isolate
for 14 days, the government has confirmed.
The move brings them in line with the general public and further
protects the NHS and social care system from the spread of
coronavirus from overseas, as signs of second waves begin to show
in other countries.
Following review of whether the measure is still necessary, an
exemption has been removed to minimise the risk of onward chains
of transmission that might infect the wider workforce.
An exemption was originally put in place, at the beginning of
June, which meant registered health and care professionals did
not have to self-isolate when travelling to England from
overseas.
This was to help ensure health and care workers travelling back
from overseas could return to the England to provide essential
healthcare, helping to strengthen the country’s response to the
coronavirus outbreak and save lives.
Following the reopening of travel routes, and as more people
begin to holiday abroad, the government has removed this
exemption and, from 31 July, all registered health and care
professionals must lawfully self-isolate when returning to
England from a high-risk country.
The current list of countries
exempt from self-isolation measures is available on GOV.UK. The
data for all countries and territories is kept under constant
review, and the exemptions list is updated with any changes on a
regular basis as and when required to reflect the shifting
international health picture.
Health and care professionals returning from a country which has
a travel corridor to the UK will not be required to self-isolate
on return.
This amendment to the regulations will ensure consistency with
wider self-isolation measures and continue to protect public
health.
Information on travel
corridors can be found here
Any changes to the regulations in Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland is a matter for the devolved authorities.
