UK Lockdown – Travel Update
The UK government has announced further action for outbound and inbound passengers to minimise travel across international borders and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
Managed isolation in hotels
This scheme is now open and is for British nationals, Irish nationals and UK residents arriving on or after 15 February 2021 from ‘red list’ countries where the UK government has imposed international travel bans (list below)
- cost: they will be required to isolate, at their own personal cost (£1,750 per adult, £650 for each additional adult/child over 12 plus £325 for a child aged 5 - 12 years)
- duration: for 10 days without exception (for instance they will not have the option to reduce their isolation period with a negative COVID test)
- locations: If you’re required to quarantine in a quarantine hotel you can only arrive in England at certain ports of entry.
Currently these are:
· Heathrow Airport
· Gatwick Airport
· London City Airport
· Birmingham Airport
· Farnborough Airport
- updates: for more detailed and up-to-date guidance, please head to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england
Additionally for those travelling into the UK:
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
Angola
Argentina
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Burundi
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ecuador
Eswatini
French Guiana
Guyana
Lesotho
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores)
Rwanda
Seychelles
South Africa
Suriname
Tanzania
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Uruguay
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
For further guidance on any travel you wish to make please contact your GDB Legal Solutions consultant.