Chile, Madeira, the Azores, Aruba, Qatar, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba have been removed from the UK’s travel corridor list while arrivals from a list of 16 countries – including Portugal – have been banned from entering the UK.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps made a statement via his Twitter account: “As part of our measures on the Brazilian variant, we are removing CHILE, MADEIRA and the AZORES from the #TravelCorridors list. As of 4am Friday 15 January all non-British and Irish nationals and those without permanent UK residency will be denied entry into the UK.
“In addition, we will also be removing ARUBA, QATAR and BONAIRE, ST EUSTATIUS AND SABA from the #TravelCorridor list. From 4am Saturday 16 January, anyone arriving into England from these destinations will need to self-isolate.
“I’ve taken the urgent decision to BAN ARRIVALS from ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, BOLIVIA, CAPE VERDE, CHILE, COLOMBIA, ECUADOR, FRENCH GUIANA, GUYANA, PANAMA, PARAGUAY, PERU, SURINAME, URUGUAY AND VENEZUELA – from TOMORROW, 15 JANUARY at 4AM following evidence of a new variant in Brazil.
“Travel from PORTUGAL to the UK will also be suspended given its strong travel links with Brazil – acting as another way to reduce the risk of importing infections. However, there is an exemption for hauliers travelling from Portugal (only), to allow transport of essential goods.
“This measure does not apply to British and Irish Nationals and third country nationals with residence rights – but passengers returning from these destinations must self-isolate for TEN DAYS along with their households.”
