UK Lockdown – Travel Update
On 27 January the UK government announced further action for outbound and inbound passengers to minimise travel across international borders and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
For those travelling into the UK:
managed isolation in hotels: this will be for British nationals, Irish nationals and UK residents arriving from ‘red list’ countries where the UK government has imposed international travel bans (list below) - they will be required to isolate, at their cost, for 10 days without exception (for instance they will not have the option to reduce their isolation period with a negative COVID test) - more details such as the start date will be provided by the government in due course
refusing entry: non-British or Irish passengers who have been in or transited through red list countries in the last 10 days will no longer be granted access to the UK
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
exemptions: any travel exemptions usually in place, including for business travel, will not apply
police checks: police are carrying out more physical checks at addresses to make sure people are self-isolating
For those travelling 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
Red List Countries
United Arab Emirates, Rwanda and Burundi have on 29 January also been added to the list below:
· Angola
· Argentina
· Bolivia
· Botswana
· Brazil
· Cape Verde
· Chile
· Colombia
· Democratic Republic of Congo
· Ecuador
· Eswatini
· French Guiana
· Guyana
· Lesotho
· Malawi
· Mauritius
· Mozambique
· Namibia
· Panama
· Paraguay
· Peru
· Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores)
· Seychelles
· South Africa
· Suriname
· Tanzania
· Uruguay
· Venezuela
· Zambia
· Zimbabwe
For further guidance on any travel you wish to make please contact your GDB Legal Solutions consultant.