An ‘Urgent’ late-night update from the British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps informs that Germany, Denmark, and Sweden will be on the U.K. travel quarantine list from the 7th of November 2020, 4.00 AM onwards.
The Ministers have made this decision as a measure of managing the risk of imported cases from communities with high stakes of coronavirus transmission.
Shapps also added that the people arriving at the U.K. on Saturday from 4.00 AM onwards must self-isolate themselves for 14 days. Special notice was given to the Britons in Denmark to fly home within three hours after the urgent update was made at 1.30 AM for them to avoid the 14 days quarantine that is to be implemented on the 7th of November. However, all arriving passengers must also complete a passenger locator form as a part of the procedure.
Why was this urgent measure taken?
The cause of this measure, however, remains as a decisive action taken by the government considering the significant increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in these countries. Based on the data retrieved from the P.A. news agency by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, it is evident that Germany’s weekly rate of coronavirus cases are currently at 140, with 20,000 cases reported on Wednesday. Similarly, Sweden’s rate remains 190, both against the U.K.’s case rate of 235 per 100,000 people. The rate of confirmed coronavirus cases in Denmark, on the other hand, also shows a sudden hike this month.
What if I am already in one of these countries on holiday?
Although the Department of Transport (DfT) has introduced tight restrictions on Britons, prohibiting travel for holidays, advise those currently on holidays to finish their trip as usual, following the local restrictions laid out by the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] travel advice pages on gov.uk for further information.
Will the U.K. quarantine list be revised again?
According to Shapps, there are no countries from the U.K. travel quarantine list removed this week. Additionally, the government also restrains all non-essential travel, both domestic and international.
Although November-December is a period usually considered as the best time to visit Germany, Denmark, or Sweden, the U.K.’ Travel corridors’ policy does not recommend it this year. It only allows people to travel by plane for work purposes.
The hope for the ‘old normal,’ however, is not lost, contemplating on the fact that the U.K Travel corridors policy, along with the country’s race against time to develop coronavirus vaccines, may soon bring great news!
