The UK will decide in May to resume international travel and introduce a new system for those arriving in the country: they will face restrictive measures on coronavirus, depending on where they returned from. This was announced by the government working group on tourism.
According to Transport Minister Grant Shapps, the authorities will take the final decision on the resumption of international traffic no earlier than May 17. However, it is already clear on what principles the entry system will work.
The British will not need to prove, as now, that they have a good reason to travel abroad, but destination countries will be divided into “green”, “yellow” and “red” depending on the level of epidemic danger.
Before entering the United Kingdom from the green zones, both British and foreigners will need to undergo PCR testing for coronavirus. Another test will need to be taken on the second day upon arrival. In some cases, doctors may require one more time to be tested for COVID-19. If the virus is not detected, those entering will not need to quarantine.
If a traveler arrives in Britain from the “yellow” zone, he also needs to pass a PCR test before entering, and upon arrival go to a ten-day quarantine at his home or hotel. Additional tests will need to be done on the second and eighth days of isolation. Additional testing is possible on the fifth day – if this and previous tests give a negative result for COVID-19, then isolation may end ahead of schedule.
For those entering the country from the “red” zones, the most stringent restrictions will apply. They will be placed in special observation centers with testing before entry, as well as on the second and eighth days after arrival. Interim testing for coronavirus and early exit from quarantine are not provided.
Cheaper or free (in case of retesting) PCR tests provided by the National Medical Service will be available to UK citizens. Foreign tourists will be required to purchase more expensive tests from private companies.
As noted by Shapps, it is too early to say which countries will be assigned this or that color designation: now the government is assessing the situation with COVID-19 outside Britain and will make an appropriate decision by early May.
The authorities will also warn Britons if the country they want to travel to has the potential to move from one category to another (for example, from the green to the yellow zone), and the rules could be tightened. In the future, the government will regularly review the status of countries depending on the epidemic situation within them.
According to preliminary estimates, such a system will operate from May 17 to June 28. After that, London officially intends to revise the rules and decide whether they can be canceled completely.
The Sunday Times reported at the end of March that a similar scheme would be introduced for travelers. The third Antique Lockdown, introduced in February, is currently underway in the UK. Citizens are prohibited from all foreign travel without compelling reasons (for example, for work or for medical treatment). Those arriving in the country need to pass coronavirus tests before arrival, twice upon return, and spend ten days in quarantine.
