In the Government’s bid to further and tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, since 8 June 2020, if you are travelling to the UK, you may be required to self-isolate at the place where you will be staying for a period of 14 days. If you are a resident or visitor travelling to the UK, then you must provide your journey and contact details and also not leave the place you are staying at for the first 14 days you are in the UK, except in very limited situations (known as self-isolating).   Self-isolation essentially means that you are not allowed to leave the place where you are staying; that you should not have visitors unless they are providing essential care, and that you are only able to leave your place of residence in very limited circumstances.

The Government policy applies to all UK residents and visitors who are either returning or coming to the UK.  However, you do not need to self-isolate if you are travelling from Ireland, The Channel Islands or the Isle of Mann and you were there for 14 days or more.

You will be required to complete a prescribed form which can be completed up to 48 hours before you travel to the UK and when completing the form, you will be required to provide information including the details of your journey along with your contact details and the full address where you will be staying.

It is the Government’s intention to use the information in order to contact you if you or someone you have travelled with develops Coronavirus symptoms.  The Government can also use the information provided to check that you are, in fact, self-isolating for the first 14 days after arrival in the UK.

There are a number of exemptions to the Quarantine rules and these include Keyworkers who work in the rail, air, ferry and agricultural sectors.  Those who reside in one country and work in another are also exempt provided they can prove that they commute between the two countries at least once a week.  Those who are exempt will need to provide evidence to UK Border Officials.

There can be serious consequences if you do not comply with the rules and fines can be imposed of up to £100.00 if you refuse to provide your contact details and you can be fined more if you break the rule more than once. A fine of up to £1000.00 can also be imposed if you refuse to self-isolate.

For advice on this or any other immigration matter, please contact Sohan Sidhu.