Malaysia and Brunei have been added to UK’s green list of quarantine exempt countries while Belgium, Bahamas and Andorra have been removed – travellers returning from these three destinations now required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in NI.
While the current so-called ‘green list’ of quarantine-free destination is still under constant review – with a new update due from the NI Executive tomorrow – it is still possible to enjoy quarantine-free travel to a number of low-risk destinations.
It is important, if you plan to travel in the weeks and months ahead, to keep up-to-date with the latest advice for the country you plan travelling to and remember to always follow the public health advice whether you’re abroad, having a staycation or staying at home.
Wash your hands frequently and well, and keep practising social distancing. That’s the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
New rules for entering or returning to the UK are now in place:
Health protection coronavirus international travel regulations
The regulations mean that you must self-isolate for 14 days if you return to Northern Ireland from a country outside the Common Travel Area (CTA) unless you are travelling from, or transiting through, a low to medium risk country that is exempt.
The CTA includes the following places, and only applies if you were there for 14 days or more:
- England, Scotland and Wales
- the Republic of Ireland
- the Channel Islands
- the Isle of Man
- If you have been in the CTA for the last 14 days before entering Northern Ireland you do not need to complete the form or self-isolate.
Exemption rules
Since 10 July 2020 you may not have to self-isolate when you arrive in Northern Ireland, if you’re returning from certain countries. That is because these countries or territories are:
- exempted countries
- British overseas territories
- This list is continually under review and self-isolation requirements could be reintroduced at any time for public health reasons
Exempted countries
Since 10 July 2020 you will not have to self-isolate when you arrive in Northern Ireland, if you are returning from the following countries:
- Andorra (this does not apply to arrivals on or after 8 August 2020)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- The Bahamas (this does not apply to arrivals on or after 8 August 2020)
- Barbados
- Belgium (this does not apply to arrivals on or after 8 August 2020)
- Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
- Brunei
- Croatia
- Curaçao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Polynesia
- Germany
- Greece
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg (this does not apply to arrivals on or after 31 July 2020)
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Réunion
- Saint Barthélemy
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- San Marino
- Seychelles
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain (this does not apply to arrivals on or after 26 July 2020)
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turkey
- Vatican City State
- Vietnam
Exempted territories
Since 10 July 2020 you will not have to self-isolate when you arrive in Northern Ireland, if you are returning from the following countries:
- The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia in the Island of Cyprus
- Anguilla
- Bermuda
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Montserrat
- Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- Turks and Caicos Islands
You won’t have to self-isolate at home on your return from countries on this list.
Note that this list is continually under review and countries could be removed from it at short notice due to increases in their infection rates or falls in the infection rates in the UK.
It is therefore possible that a country could lose its exemption while you’re on holiday, meaning you would have to self-isolate for the full 14 days when you get back home.
You will need to self-isolate if you were in, or if you transited through, a country that is not on the list in the 14 days before your return to the Common Travel Area.
This applies to all travel to Northern Ireland, by train, ferry, coach, air or any other route. It also applies regardless of how you have arrived in Northern Ireland – directly, via Ireland, or via another UK region.
In addition to country exemptions, individual exemptions will also apply.
It is, however, important to note that the exemptions do not apply if you have symptoms of coronavirus. Anyone who has symptoms of a cough, fever or loss of smell or taste must self-isolate.
You may be fined £60 if you refuse to provide passenger information on arrival, £1,000 if you leave the location where you are self-isolating without reasonable excuse, or you could face further action.
What you need to do
Before you travel, you should develop a self-isolation plan so that you know where and how you will self-isolate for 14 days after you have arrived into the CTA.
This should be in place even if you are travelling to an exempted country, as the exemptions could change while you are abroad.
You will have to complete a contact declaration form that provides:
- details of your journey
- contact details
- and the address where you will self-isolate
You will be able to complete the contact detail declaration 48 hours before you arrive into Northern Ireland.
If you’ve been abroad and you’re required to self-isolate on your return, you should:
- head straight home or to your accommodation
- self-isolate in one place for the full 14 days
- not go to work, school, or public areas
- only use public transport if you’ve no other option
- if you do use public transport, wear a face covering that covers your nose and mouth and stay two metres apart from other people
- You cannot go out to work, school or visit public areas
- You should not go shopping
If you require help buying groceries, other shopping, or picking up medication, you should ask friends or relatives or order a delivery.
If you’re travelling to Northern Ireland for less than 14 days you will be expected to self-isolate for the length of your stay.
The people you’re staying with do not need to self-isolate with you if they have not travelled from outside the UK or have been in the CTA for longer than 14 days before coming to Northern Ireland – unless you or a member of your household develop symptoms of coronavirus.
Anyone who develops symptoms of a cough, fever or loss of taste or smell must self-isolate.
If you are abroad you must follow the advice of local authorities. Your safety and security is the responsibility of the local authority where you are.
If you need urgent consular assistance: phone the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) switchboard number 020 7008 1500.
