Beginning June 8, people arriving in the UK will have to quarantine for fourteen days to fight the spread of the new coronavirus, Interior Minister Priti Patel announced on Friday May 22.
Exemptions may be granted to road freight employees or members of the medical staff who have come to support the health sector in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, she said.
No exemption for the French
Travelers from Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will not be subject to this regime, which will however apply to travelers arriving from France, contrary to what London and Paris had recently suggested.
"As the world begins to emerge from what we hope is the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, we must look to the future and protect the British public by reducing the risk of cases crossing our border," said the minister. .
New rules for passengers coming into the UK are due to start on 8 June.
Travelers will need to share contact details, travel information, and self-isolate for 14 days or they may incur a fine.
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"Passengers arriving in the United Kingdom will have to isolate themselves for 14 days and will be able to be contacted regularly throughout this period to guarantee compliance with this measure," said a press release from the Home Office.
Violators will face a fine of 1,000 pounds (1,118 euros), he warns.
Air sector worried
According to the Minister responsible for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, this measure, which will be reviewed "every three weeks", must accompany the gradual deconfinement of the country from June 1 in the event of progress in the fight against the coronavirus.
This decision alarms the air sector, already upset by the pandemic. The owner of low-cost airline Ryanair recently called her "silly" and "impractical". The industry association Airlines UK estimated that about forty would "effectively kill" international travel to the United Kingdom. John Holland-Kaye, the director general of Heathrow Airport, the busiest in Europe, said that quarantine should be "limited in time".
With AFP and Reuters
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