Two million holidaymakers will not have to abide by the governments’ 14 day quarantine rule as they work in jobs that make them exempt from the rule.
The 14 days quarantine measures will come into effect on June 8.
The Independent has reported that the government’s list of jobs that are exempt from the policy, includes bus drivers, health workers such as doctors, nurses and dentists, as well as police officers.
The Independent says: “Some of the jobs on the list are directly related to cross-border travel or highly specialised, such as Eurotunnel train drivers and Euratom inspectors.
“The exemption for fruit and vegetable pickers from abroad requires them to self-isolate on a farm, though they can mix with others.
“But other categories are far wider. The Independent has calculated that at least two million workers will be able to avoid quarantine.
“The highest number – at least 1.5 million – is likely to be those who can demonstrate they are ‘a registered health or care professional travelling to the UK to provide essential healthcare, including where this is not related to coronavirus’.”
The report says that road haulage workers, taxi, minicab and Uber drivers could also claim exemption.
International commuters will also be able to avoid self-isolation if they can demonstrate that they travel to another country professionally at least once a week.
A government spokesperson said: “The list of exemptions has been agreed by all government departments in consultation with their stakeholders which will ensure critical supplies and services can continue and will be kept under review.
“People coming into the UK will be required to provide contact and travel information when coming to the UK, including those who are exempt.
“We will set out further detail shortly including on how we will take action against those who flout the rules.”
