UK: Authorities plan to mandate hotel quarantine from Feb. 15 for travelers returning from COVID-19 hotspots /update 24

Event

Health officials in the UK plan to mandate a 10-day quarantine for all passengers returning from COVID-19 hotspots starting Feb. 15. The quarantine must be completed in a government-designated hotel at the traveler's own expense. This mandate will apply to permitted arrivals from more than 30 countries, including the UAE, Portugal, South Africa, and all South American countries. Authorities will announce additional details in the coming days.

As of Feb. 4, authorities are maintaining previously imposed COVID-19-related entry restrictions. All international arrivals must present proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 before boarding. Any persons arriving without such proof may be fined or denied entry. Arrivals from outside the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands must be tested no more than 72 hours before departing their country of origin. Exemptions are in place for children under the age of 11, international rail and maritime crew, and certain other categories of travelers. Persons arriving from the British Overseas Territories of Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the Falkland Islands are exempt. The government has issued online guidance on test criteria as well as details of certain traveler categories that are exempt.

In addition, international arrivals to the UK must currently self-isolate for up to 10 days upon entry. Except as otherwise specified, travelers can reduce the required self-isolation period by taking a COVID-19 test five days after arrival at their own expense. Such individuals may be released from self-isolation upon receipt of a negative result. Health officials may perform spot checks to ensure compliance. Persons without suitable accommodation must stay in facilities arranged by the government at their own expense. All arrivals must also fill out a passenger locator form providing contact details and their travel history over the previous 10 days.

All quarantine-free travel corridors remain suspended. Nonresident foreign nationals who have been in certain southern African nations having strong travel links with South Africa within the 10 days prior to arriving in UK will be barred from entry. The specific affected countries are: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Flights with South Africa remain suspended as of Jan. 28.

Authorities have also banned international arrivals from Portugal, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Freight transporters arriving from Portugal are exempt from this measure. British and Irish nationals, visa holders, and permanent residents are exempt from the entry bans but must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival, along with the rest of their household.

Additionally, Since Jan. 29, direct flights from the UAE are suspended. Moreover, nonresident travelers arriving from Burundi or Rwanda, or who have been in or transited one of these countries within the previous 10 days, are be barred from entering the UK. Irish citizens and residents are exempt from this measure. All permitted travelers who have been in the UAE, Burundi, or Rwanda within the 10 days prior to their arrival in the UK must self-isolate for 10 days upon entry; there are no exemptions allowing an early end to the quarantine period for such individuals.

Officials review these measures weekly or in response to significant changes in disease activity abroad. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Arrive at the airport early to prevent your seat from being reallocated to a standby passenger. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.