It’s that time of the week, where HM Government loses an advisor, tries to cover its tracks and works with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to work out who to add or remove from the UK Travel Corridor list.
So, what’s changed this week?
Countries being removed from the UK Travel Corridors List
Greece will be removed from the exempt list at 4 am, Saturday 14 November. The islands of Corfu, Crete, Kos, Rhodes and Zakynthos will not be removed from the exempt list. If you’re travelling back from Greece. If you arrive after this time, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
Countries the are being added to the UK Travel Corridor List:
- Bahrain – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bahrain
- Cambodia – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia
- Chile – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chile
- Iceland – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iceland
- Laos – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos
- Qatar – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/qatar
- Turks and Caicos Islands – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turks-and-caicos-islands
- United Arab Emirates – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates
If you arrive after 4 am, Saturday 14 November, you will not have to self-isolate on arrival from these countries. If you arrive before then, the full 14 days self-isolation requirement will apply.
The countries lists
For those who need the travel corridors list, its at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors.
The list of countries where “Do not travel” does not apply is at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-countries-and-territories-exempt-from-advice-against-all-but-essential-international-travel.
There’s still a lockdown in progress
For those still living under a rock, England is in lockdown still. This means From 5 November to 2 December 2020, travelling away from home, including internationally, is restricted from England except in limited circumstances such as for work or education. Therefore, no leisure or family trips out.
Different rules apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The bottom line. No cheeky trip to Dubai yet.
And don’t forget when returning to the UK…
All travellers, including those from exempt destinations, will still be required to show a completed passenger locator form on arrival in the United Kingdom unless they fall into a small group of exemptions. Failure to do so will lead to fines if you are caught entering the country without a completed form.
Self Isolate or enjoy a hefty fine.
Yes, it’s not going to be a fun time if you have to self-isolate on returning to the UK. It’ll be a less of a fun time on your wallet if you breach the self-isolation rules when returning from non-exempt countries, with fines increasing have increased from £1,000 for a first offence up to £10,000 for subsequent offences, mirroring penalties for those breaching self-isolation following a positive COVID test or contact from Test & Trace.
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It seems the UK government has no idea what it’s doing as per usual. I still have no idea why they haven’t implemented mandatory government quarantine like they have in other countries to stop the spread, because one thing is for sure… people can’t be trusted to self isolate correctly.