Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to give further details of how the 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving in the UK will work later today.
This is what we know so far:
Why is the quarantine being introduced?
The government wants to limit the amount of contact international travellers, including British people returning from overseas, have with other people when they first arrive in the UK from abroad.
The prevalence of coronavirus varies hugely around the world, with many countries – including the US – still in earlier stages of their outbreaks and reporting thousands of new COVID-19 cases.
Advertisement
When will it start?
The policy was outlined by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in his televised address on 10 May.
More from Covid-19
No specific date has been given yet, but it is not expected to start in airports until early June.
It will affect anyone arriving by plane, train or ferry.
How is it going to be enforced?
Travellers will be asked to fill in a form on arrival, which will include their contact information and an address where they will have to remain for two weeks.
If the traveller does not have somewhere to stay, accommodation will be arranged by the government.
Health officials will perform spot checks to ensure compliance with the measures and fines of up to £1,000 will be given.
The government will review the measures every three weeks.
Who is exempt?
Exemptions for road hauliers and medical officials will apply, while the common travel area with Ireland will be unaffected.
People arriving from France will not be exempt, following confusion earlier this week.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has backed calls for "air bridges" to be created.
This would see agreements sought with countries with low R numbers – the average number of people someone with the virus infects – to let passengers travel between them without going into quarantine.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Are we even allowed to travel internationally?
The government is recommending only travelling internationally if it is essential.
Social distancing measures must be followed during your journey and a face covering can be worn as a precaution, especially when indoors, in a crowded area.
The Foreign Office also warns that travellerRead More – Source
[contf]
[contfnew]
sky news
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
