LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Britain's authorities would require individuals getting into England to c
LONDON, Jan 8 (Reuters) – Britain’s authorities would require individuals getting into England to current a unfavourable COVID-19 check outcome on arrival beginning subsequent week to guard in opposition to new strains of the coronavirus from different nations, the federal government mentioned on Friday.
Passengers arriving by boat, aircraft or prepare should take a check as much as 72 hours earlier than departing for England, the transport ministry mentioned, mirroring measures taken by many different nations all over the world.
“We have already got vital measures in place to forestall imported instances of COVID-19, however with new strains of the virus growing internationally we should take additional precautions,” Transport Secretary Grant Shapps mentioned in a press release.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a brand new lockdown for England this week after a surge in instances linked to a brand new variant of the coronavirus believed to have originated within the nation.
On Thursday, Britain mentioned it might lengthen a ban on travellers getting into England from South Africa to different southern African nations to forestall the unfold of a variant recognized in South Africa.
Exemptions to the brand new testing requirement rule could be provided to hauliers, youngsters below 11, crews and folks travelling from nations the place checks will not be accessible, the federal government mentioned.
Passengers can be topic to a positive of 500 kilos ($678.30) in the event that they fail to adjust to the brand new rules.
Britain’s airline trade mentioned it recognised the necessity to act to introduce pre-departure testing however solely as a short-term, emergency measure.
“As soon as the roll-out of the vaccine accelerates, the main target have to be on returning journey to regular as shortly as doable with a view to help the UK’s financial restoration,” Tim Alderslade, chief govt of Airways UK, an trade group, mentioned.
Britain requires passengers from many nations to self-isolate for 10 days, or 5 in the event that they pay for a personal check and check unfavourable. These necessities will stay in place after the brand new pre-departure testing rule comes into impact.
Britain’s authorities was working with the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Eire to roll out comparable measures.
The brand new rule wouldn’t apply to the Widespread Journey Space which incorporates England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Eire and Eire in addition to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
($1 = 0.7371 kilos)
(Writing by William Schomberg; Enhancing by Daniel Wallis)
(([email protected]; +44 207 542 7778; Reuters Messaging: [email protected]))
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the writer and don’t essentially mirror these of Nasdaq, Inc.