Arriving in the UK – new quarantine rules finalised

The Home Secretary has confirmed that a 14-day quarantine regime for international passengers arriving in the UK will come into force on 8 June 2020.

Under the new regime all those arriving in the UK will be required to:

• Complete an online locator form providing their contact details, UK travel itinerary, and accommodation details
• Undergo spot checks at the UK border on arrival to ensure that they have completed the form and provide the required details if they have not done so
• Self-isolate at a specified address for 14 days after arrival
• Undergo additional spot visits by police at their specified address to ensure that they are complying with their self-isolation.

Penalties for non-compliance

A new penalty regime will be put in place. This will range from £100 fixed penalty notices for those who fail to comply with a request to complete the required form and provide the required details, to a £1000 fine for those who fail to self- isolate. Further criminal prosecution including unlimited fines may also be imposed for those who continue to fail to comply.

Exemptions from the 14-day quarantine period

A full list of exempted passengers will be published, and we expect this shortly. We do know that medical professionals who are ‘assisting with the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic’ will be exempted.   At present, the list of those exempted includes:

• Those involved in ensuring the security of supply of key goods to the UK, including road hauliers, lorry drivers etc
• Those who are involved in supporting and maintaining critical infrastructure
• Medical professionals who are assisting with the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic
• Foreign officials working with their UK counterparts on UK border security
• Seasonal agricultural workers who self-isolate at the place where they work
• Those travelling within the Common Travel Area arriving from The Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

The Home Secretary stated that the new provisions would be reviewed every three weeks.

Contact us

If you have any questions about these issues in relation to your own organisation, please contact a member of the team or speak with your usual Fox Williams contact.

Articles and commentary by our legal experts on the impact of Covid-19 are all available here.