United Kingdom – COVID-19: Travel Corridors Updated
United Kingdom – COVID-19: Travel Corridors Updated
Rising infection rates in various countries have caused the UK government to remove the “travel corridor” for several countries and re-impose a 14-day self-isolation requirement for people arriving in the UK who have recently visited those countries. The UK government implemented regulations in June requiring visitors to the UK to self-isolate for 14 days. By July, the UK government decided that it was safe to lift the travel restrictions between England and several countries/territories called “travel corridors.” Since June, 10 countries have been removed from the list (most recently 6 countries including France and the Netherlands were removed on 15 August), while 2 countries were added on 11 August.
Highlights
Rising infection rates in various countries have caused the UK government to remove the “travel corridor” for several countries and re-impose a 14-day self-isolation requirement for people arriving in the UK who have recently visited those countries.1
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UK government implemented regulations in June requiring visitors to the UK to self-isolate for 14 days. The regulations included various exemptions allowing individuals to travel to the UK without having to self-isolate, based on profession or industry, as well as those travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-271 (5 June 2020).) By July, the UK government decided that it was safe to lift the travel restrictions between England and several countries/territories and from 10 July 2020 began allowing individuals to arrive in England from these locations without the need for to self-isolate for 14 days. The lifting of these restrictions on a country and territory specific basis, rather than profession or industry are referred to as “travel corridors.” (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-316 (16 July 2020).)
Since June, 10 countries have been removed from the list (most recently 6 countries including France and the Netherlands were removed on 15 August), while 2 countries were added on 11 August.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The easing or re-imposing of the travel restrictions through additions to and removals from the travel corridors list affects UK residents traveling abroad and nonresidents traveling into the UK. All individuals arriving from the specified list of countries and territories will not need to self-isolate for 14 days. The corridors list; however, is subject to change with relatively short notice, making it difficult for individuals and businesses to reliably plan for the future.
The “Travel Corridors”
The table below shows the countries included in the “travel corridor” list. Passengers arriving from these countries/territories will not be required to self-isolate on arrival into England (information for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be published by the Devolved Authorities). This applies to those arriving by train, ferry, coach, air or any other route.:
British Indian Ocean Territory |
||
Brunei * |
Isle of Man |
|
the Channel Islands |
||
Malaysia * |
||
|
||
|
* Individuals arriving in England from these countries before 11 August will need to self–isolate:
- Brunei
- Malaysia
** These countries/territories were removed from the travel corridor list 15 August 2020:
- Aruba
- France
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Turks and Caicos Islands
The following countries were removed from the travel corridor list at 4am, Saturday 8 August 2020:
- Andorra
- The Bahamas
- Belgium
Luxembourg was removed from the exempt list on Friday 31 July 2020.
Conditions
To make use of the travel corridors, individuals arriving in England must not have travelled to a country that is not included on the travel corridor exemption list within the last 14 days. If a traveler has been to a country that isn’t on the list, then they will need to self-isolate until 14 days have passed since leaving that country.
Those arriving in the England must continue to complete a passenger locator form prior to arrival.2 This applies to both UK and non-UK residents.
KPMG NOTE
The list of countries remains under review.
Individuals travelling abroad from the UK will also have to comply with any travel restrictions or requirements in place in the country to which they travel. This could include self-isolation, providing travel details to the authorities or other measures.
When travelling out of the UK, all individuals are should continue check the relevant country’s specific travel advice3 issued by their government as well as generic travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.4
Visit KPMG’s COVID-19 Tracker5 for a global perspective on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global mobility.
FOOTNOTES
1 U.K. government "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance and Support" webpage, “Travel Corridors.”
2 U.K. government "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance and Support" webpage, "Provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK."
3 U.K. government "Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance and Support" webpage, "Foreign travel advice."
4 Foreign & Commonwealth Office, “Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance and Support" webpage, "Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19)" (published 4 February 2020, updated 10 July 2020).
VIEW ALL
The KPMG Legal Services – Immigration Team has a wealth of experience in transactional, advisory, and compliance assurance services. We will be able to advise your business in relation to practical considerations in light of the above changes, as well as what this means for your long-term recruitment and compliance strategies.
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not offer immigration services or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the United Kingdom.
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