New tighter border restrictions announced today by the UK government mean that travellers will have to declare a ‘valid reason’ for travel or risk a fine.
The new rules also include mandatory ‘quarantine hotels’ for arrivals from certain countries.
Speaking in the Commons today (January 27), Home Secretary Priti Patel said that it “is clear that there are still too many people coming in and out of our country each day” and the new measures will “reduce passenger flow so that only a small number of people for whom it absolutely essential to travel are doing so.”
Onus will be on airlines to check passengers reasons for travel while police presence will also be increased at ports and airports.
Anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home or face a fine.
A new policy of arrivals being forced to quarantine in hotels has also been confirmed, which will apply to those returning from countries where international travel bans have already been imposed, including Portugal.
The Home Secretary said: “They will be required to isolate for 10 days, without exemption, and the Department of Health will set out further details on this approach next week.
“Despite the stay-at-home regulations, we are still seeing people not complying with these rules. The rules are clear – people should be staying at home, unless they have a valid reason to leave.”
Ms Patel added that “only the most important, and with exceptional reasons” should be allowed to travel.
