UK: Authorities maintaining international entry restrictions as of Feb. 22 /update 26

UK enforcing international entry restrictions, including mandatory testing and quarantine for most arrivals as of Feb. 22.

Event

Authorities are maintaining international entry restrictions as of Feb. 22 as part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. All international arrivals must present proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 before boarding. Any persons arriving without such proof may be fined or denied entry. Arrivals from outside the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands must be tested no more than 72 hours before departing their country of origin. Exemptions are in place for children under the age of 11, international rail and maritime crews, and certain other categories of travelers. Persons arriving from the British Overseas Territories of Saint Helena, Ascension Island, and the Falkland Islands are exempt. The government has issued online guidance on test criteria, as well as details of certain traveler categories that are exempt.

All international arrivals from outside the British Isles and Ireland must undergo 10-days‘ quarantine during which they must take two additional COVID-19 tests. Arrivals must take the tests on the second and eighth days of their mandatory 10-day quarantine. In addition, all travelers returning from COVID-19 hotspots must quarantine for 10 days in a government-designated hotel at the traveler's own expense. This mandate applies to permitted arrivals from more than 30 countries, including the UAE, Portugal, South Africa, and all South American countries.

Health officials may perform spot checks to ensure compliance. Persons without suitable accommodation must stay in facilities arranged by the government at their own expense. All arrivals must also fill out a passenger locator form providing contact details and their travel history over the previous 10 days.

Nonresident foreign nationals who have been in certain southern African nations having strong travel links with South Africa within the 10 days prior to arriving in the UK will be barred from entry. The specific affected countries are Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Flights with South Africa remain suspended.

Authorities have also banned international arrivals from Portugal, as well as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, UAE, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Freight transporters arriving from Portugal are exempt from this measure. British and Irish nationals, visa holders, and permanent residents are exempt from the entry bans but must either self-isolate or quarantine in a government-designated hotel for 10 days on arrival.

Officials review these measures weekly or in response to significant changes in disease activity abroad. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Consider delaying traveling if experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, as they may prompt increased scrutiny and delays. Arrive at the airport early to prevent your seat from being reallocated to a standby passenger. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.