Travellers are seen as an arrivals area of a terminal at Heathrow Airport, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, London, Britain, January 16, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville
By Simon Calder
The toughest travel rules in a lifetime for arrivals into the UK have taken effect. Anyone hoping to travel to the UK from a foreign country (except Ireland), by air, rail or sea must present a certificate showing a negative Covid test taken within the past three days.
Those permitted to reach the UK must go straight home and quarantine. These are the key questions and answers.
Test before travel: what’s happening?
The UK is falling into line with many other countries that demand evidence of a negative coverage test from anyone travelling in. Passengers must present the evidence when they check-in for their flight, ferry or train.
If someone travels without a valid certificate, UK border force officials can fine them up to £500 (£480 in Scotland).
Lorry drivers, crew for aircraft, ships and trains, and under-11s are exempt.
But people who have been vaccinated against coronavirus are expected to comply – and to quarantine on arrival.
Source: The Independent