It’s that time of the week again where the Her Majesties Government looks at data, makes faces at it, then goes off hunting in a pack of 30 whilst people can’t socialise in groups of more than six people.
Welcom to the UK FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Travel corridor update.
Countries that will require self-isolation on return to the UK
- Slovenia – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/slovenia
- Guadeloupe – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guadeloupe
The FCDO is not advising those already travelling to leave at this time if you are in these countries. Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in.
If you are returning to the UK from Slovenia or Guadeloupe on or after 4 am on 19th of September, you will need to self-isolate on your return (unless you are exempt). As usual, Check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Countries that travel corridors are being opened, and no self-isolation is required upon arrival into the UK
- Singapore -(England, Scotland and Northern Ireland) – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/singapore. Note travellers from Singapore heading to Wales will need to follow separate advice)
- Thailand – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand
- Gibraltar – (Wales) – https://gov.wales/written-statement-health-protection-coronavirus-international-travel-wales-amendments-4
From 4 am on the 19th of September, Singapore and Thailand will be added to the list of countries where self-isolation on return to the UK is not required. Check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The full list of countries that are exempt from the travel corridors list is at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel
However, if you’re thinking of jetting off for a break to Singapore or Thailand…
… you need to hold your horses, as entry into these countries is restricted at this time.
For entry into Singapore, note that Short-term visitors from anywhere in the world are not able to enter Singapore. Long-term pass holders and dependants need approval before entering Singapore. If you are granted permission to enter Singapore will be issued with a 14-day Stay at Home Notice (SHN).
For entry into Thailand, note that only certain categories of foreign nationals are permitted to enter or transit Thailand and you need to check if you are. If you’re eligible to enter, you will be subject to a 14-day state quarantine at a Thai government-designated facility at your own expense. If suspected of carrying COVID-19, you may be denied entry into the country. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to areas within the provinces on the Thailand-Malaysia border, including Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Southern Songkhla province (with some exceptions).
Now for the science part
Time for the science behind this weeks thinking by HM Government:
Data from Slovenia shows that the weekly incidence (cases) per 100,000 has increased from 14.4 on 9 September to 29.1 on 16 September. This equates to a 102% increase.
There has been a sharp increase in the weekly incidence (case) rate of COVID-19 in Guadeloupe over the past 4 weeks, with a 558% increase in weekly incidence (cases) per 100,000 between 25 August and 15 September.
Thailand and Singapore have been added to the government’s travel corridor list following a decrease in confirmed cases of coronavirus.
And for the usual things you need to be aware of
It goes without saying that we need to bang on about filling in the passenger locator form.
This is required to be completed before you
All travellers, including those from exempt destinations, will still be required to show a completed form on arrival into the UK unless they fall into a small group of exemptions. The UK Border Force do carry out spot checks, and travellers who refuse to provide their contact details, face a fine starting at £100 – so it’s in your personal as well as fiscal interest to fill that form in.
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