No longer part of the European Union, the UK recently announced their own, new COVID travel restrictions along with some seriously strict repercussions for those who fail to follow the protocol.
While Britain has administered more than 12.5 million vaccine doses so far, lockdown orders remain intact, and Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps says that non-essential international travel will likely not be permitted until after all adults are vaccinated. They’re currently on track to vaccinate the entire population by the end of June.
Until such time, the UK government has put down strict travel rules that begin today, Monday, February 15, 2021.
UK and Irish residents arriving from “red listed” countries must quarantine in a designated hotel room for 10 days upon their arrival back into the UK.
This rule will be strictly enforced and those who fail to quarantine could be fined £5,000-£10,000 ($6,905-$13,810).
Anyone who falsifies their travel history on the mandatory passenger locator form for travelers entering the UK could face up to 10 years of jail time.
All international travelers flying into Scotland must quarantine for 10 days in designated quarantine hotels.
Those traveling from a “red listed” country must have a negative COVID test result 72 hours before their departure and quarantine arrangements must be made in advance.
Airlines are responsible for ensuring that everyone on a departing flight has tested negative before take-off and they could face fines as well.
While quarantining for 10 days in their hotel room, travelers must test again on the second day and eighth day. If either test is positive, travelers must for quarantine 10 days after their positive test.
There is a £1,000 fine for travelers who fail to take the new COVID test.
There is a £2,000 fine for travelers who fail to take the second test and a 14-day extension of their quarantine period.
The 10-day quarantine bill is £1,750 per person.
All travelers entering the UK (regardless of whether they came from a “red listed” country or not) must have proof of a negative COVID test from up to 72 hours before their trip.
The fine for failing to present a negative COVID test could be as high as £500.
International travel is banned except those traveling for essential work, medical appointments, or education.
There are 33 countries that are on the UK’s “red list.”
Angola, Argentina, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Columbia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equador, Eswatini, French Guiana, Guyana, Lesetho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
For more information on travel in the UK regarding to BREXIT, check out our blog post all about the changes.
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