Coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) rules for travellers to the UK

From 15 February 2021, if you’re a British and Irish citizen, or a third country national with “residence rights” in the United Kingdom (‘UK’), you will be required to quarantine at a managed ‘quarantine hotel’ for a minimum period of 10 days if you have been in or passed through a  “red list” country (also known as travel ban countries).

The list of travel ban countries will be updated accordingly by the UK government and therefore, it is important to check the gov.uk website prior to travelling to the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-measures-to-protect-the-uk-from-variant-strains-of-covid-19

All other travellers who aren’t entering the UK from a country which is not on the “red list” must quarantine at home for 10 days.

What information is required prior to entering the UK?

It is currently a mandatory requirement for all travellers prior to entering the UK to complete a ‘passenger locator’ form.

Airline carriers will also be required to ensure that all travellers have pre-booked their hotel quarantine accommodation (‘if required’).

All travellers to the UK must have also arranged for COVID-19 testing once in the UK (mandatory testing requirement explained below).

Providing false or misleading information on the passenger locator form could result in both a fine of up to £10,000.00 and a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Will I be required to take a mandatory test after having arrived in the UK?

All travellers who enter the UK, whether or not you have travelled from a “red list” country will be required to take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2, and on or after day 8 of your quarantine.

If you receive a positive test result on day 2, you must quarantine until day 12.

If you receive a positive test result on day 8 you will be required to quarantine until day 18.

As explained above, the COVID-19 testing must also be arranged prior to travelling to the UK.

Will I be charged for booking a quarantine hotel?

All travellers who are required to quarantine at a quarantine hotel will be required to cover the costs of the accommodation at their own expense.

The costs for a 10 day stay at a quarantine hotel will be £1.750.00. However, information published on the government’s website on Monday indicate additional costs to the traveler if they test positive during their isolation period, thus requiring an extended stay: £152 a day.

Do you have further questions?

If you require any further advice in relation to travelling to the UK, please contact our expert immigration lawyers or complete your details and one of our lawyers from our Immigration team will contact you.