We predicted that the UK will do a U-turn on the quarantine rules for passengers arriving into the country. In less than three weeks, the government confirmed that it will be easing restrictions on self-quarantine. The announcement is supposedly imminent.
What Are The Self-Isolation Rules?
The UK Government introduced a mandatory two-week quarantine for all passengers arriving into the UK, in mid June (a little too late?). This applies to all visitors arriving by sea, air or land. Passengers must provide an address where they will be isolating, and failing to provide one will result in a £100 fine. Random checks will be conducted and for those in England, failing to self isolate could be given a £1,000 fine.
Less than a three weeks of imposing the mandatory 14 day self-quarantine, the UK government is expected to relax the rules, but only for arrivals from certain countries.
No Self-Quarantine From 6 July?
Ministers are finalising plans for a series of “travel corridors” that will mean people arriving into the UK will not need to self-isolate from “low risk” countries.
Participating countries could include France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Turkey and Finland – but not Portugal. The full list will be announced this week. However, Greece is holding out till later, given the poor record of the handling of coronavirus in the UK.
There have been reports of the government making an announcement on the 29 June to outline all the countries where it’s managed to negotiate a “travel corridor” with. These are expected to be launched from 6 July.
A few Caribbean countries will also be included in the announcement expected this week.
No Quarantine Required For UK Visitors To Spain
The Spanish government announced that all passengers arriving from the UK will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days. This came into effect from 21 June. A travel corridor means that people travelling between two countries won’t have to self-quarantine after they arrive. So, will the UK reciprocate?
What’s Next?
We’re waiting apprehensively to see if the UK government will change their stance on the topic, as we’re looking forward to a holiday abroad. For us, it’s important to see if the UK Foreign Office will change its guidance. Currently it’s advising against all but essential international travel. There’s no good creating an airbridge if the current advice doesn’t change. For us, it’s just too risky to go on holiday. None of our insurance is valid, from car insurance to the airline losing our baggage. But we’re considering booking at-risk… here are 10 things you should consider before booking a COVID-19 deal.
Also, as the UK Foreign Office has not lifted the ban on any non-essential travel, if you do book a holiday consider if insurance will cover you. Travelling without insurance, is it work it?
Are you planning on having a summer holiday in Europe in July? Check out the latest information on which countries are open to tourists?
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Let us know in the comments below if you’ve booked a holiday. We would love to hear about what you’ve got planned.
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