It’s that time of the week where the Tory party are begging for more donor money it seems, whilst the FCDO does what it does best
So, what’s changed this week?
Countries being removed from the UK Travel Corridors List
- None
Countries the are being added to the UK Travel Corridor List:
- None
The countries lists
As usual, there are two lists you need to be aware of:
- The travel corridors list, its at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors.
- The list of countries where FCDO’s “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.
New Exemptions have arrived for High-Value Business Travellers…
There was this tweet from the Transport Secretary – Grant Shapps – that broke the change
New Business Traveller exemption: From 4am on Sat 5th Dec high-value business travellers💼will no longer need to self-isolate when returning to ENGLAND from a country NOT in a travel corridor, allowing more travel to support the economy and jobs. Conditions apply.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps (@grantshapps) December 3, 2020
Breaking down the government release:
From 4am on Saturday 5 December, individuals undertaking specific business activity which would deliver a significant benefit to the UK economy – including activity that creates or preserves 50+ UK jobs – will no longer need to self-isolate when travelling or returning from non-exempt countries.
Individuals will only be exempt when undertaking the specific business activity and will only be able to meet with others as required by that specific activity. Further information will be available on gov.uk when these exemptions come into force.
Exemptions will also come into force at the same time for domestic and international performing arts professionals, TV production staff, journalists, and recently signed elite sportspersons, ensuring that industries which require specific, high talent individuals who rely on international connections can continue to complete their work.
Currently, there is little detail on the exact details, which are due to come into force on Saturday (once we have those details, we’ll hit the publish button).
Whilst COVID-19 doesn’t respect anyone, nor does it respect tables at restaurants, business people, sportspeople or anyone, Public Health England does not anticipate these changes will raise the risk of domestic transmission, due to the protocols being put in place around these exemptions.
This of course will be monitored. How this will be managed and policed – of course – is another matter.
One which will need careful management.
But when you are 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.
If you’re not creating 50 jobs or above, 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.
Of course if you’re in the new exemptions above, you should be fine
What about the changes to cut quarantine time from the 15th December?
Want to escape quarantine early? I‘ve broken down the changes occurring on the 15th December onwards. You’ll need to pay for testing though…
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