COVID-19 and entering into the UK from 8th June 2020
Updated 7th July 2020
From June 8th 2020 onwards, the UK Government will be implementing new rules for residents and visitors coming to the UK. These new rules must be adhered to, otherwise you can be hit with huge fines of up to £1,000!
From this date forward, when you arrive into the UK, you must:
1) Provide your journey information and contact details before you travel to the UK
2) You are not allowed to leave the place you're staying for the first 14 days you are in the UK (also known as 'self-isolating')
You can be fined £100 if you refuse to provide your contact details, £1,000 if you refuse to self-isolate in England. For self-isolation rules and fines see below links:
Travel Corridors
From 10th July 2020, passengers arriving from the following countries and territories will not be required to self-isolate on arrival into England, HOWEVER - if you transit, stop or visit any country that is NOT on the list you will need to self-isolate until 14 days have passed since you left that country, see this LINK on the list of countries exempt and more information about Travel Corridors.
Before you travel you must fill in a 'Public Health Passenger Locator Form' 48 hours before you depart - click this LINK to start filling in the online form. You will need to print this form before you depart your country of origin to show a UK Border Officer when you arrive in the UK. Your details are used to contact you if you or someone you've travelled with develops coronavirus symptoms AND to check that you are self-isolating for the first 14 days after you arrive in England. Please be aware to check the links above for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland and their exemptions.
Your first 14 days in the UK: 'Self-isolating'
(see this LINK for the full guidance on 'self-isolating' in the UK - we highly recommend that you read this before you travel).
Upon arrival in the UK, you must not leave the place you're staying for 14 days.
You CAN NOT:
- Have visitors, including friends and family (unless they are providing essential care or are people you are staying with)
- go out to work, school, shopping or visit public areas
- Use shared areas in hotels, hostels (such as bars, restaurants, health clubs and sports facilities)
- You must also stay 2 metres away from other guests and staff
- You CAN NOT change the place you are 'self-isolating' at.
You can ONLY leave if:
- You require urgent medical treatment
- You need support from social services, but only in exceptional circumstances
- You need food and medicine (only in exceptional circumstances) for example, you cannot get them delivered or arrange delivery or get a friend or family member to bring them
- You're going to the funeral of a close relative
- You need to fulfil a legal obligation
- There's an emergency (for example there's a fire at the place you're staying)
If you will not be able to safely self-isolate at the place you're planning to stay, tell the Border Force Officer when you arrive in the UK. They will provide you with details of a booking service which you can use to obtain accomodation at your own expense.
After 14 days of 'Self-isolation': What Next?
If you do not have any coronvirus symptoms after 14 days, you can stop self-isolating. You will need to follow the same rules as people who live in the UK.
Below are quick links to the rules as they pertain to different parts of the UK where you may be staying:
- - - - -
If, at any point, you develop Coronavirus symptoms, please visit THIS LINK.
Visit THIS LINK for a list of who does not need to fill in the form or 'self-isolate'.