In late 2020, a variant of COVID 19 appeared in the UK. Other variants appeared in South Africa and Brazil. These variants have spread outside of their country of origin, and governments have put in place restrictions to try to curb the spread. Studies are being done to know if these new variants are more dangerous and media outlets are reporting that the vaccines should still work, but may be less effective. According to Universal Weather Aviation, a large number of countries in Europe and around the world have put in place UK travel bans so it is important to check with an embassy or the airline for the most current information. Pakistan and India had bans on traveling to the UK which expired on 1/31/21, so updated information may be available or coming soon. Please note Pakistan has extended it’s ban on passengers flying from UK to Pakistan until 2/28/21.
It’s important to be aware of your own home country’s rules regarding whether travel is possible. The UK is trying to stop the spread of the South African variant and others, so it has imposed its own travel bans on approximately 30 countries. The UK has a restriction for UK citizens and residents in which they cannot travel unless they have a legally permitted reason to do so. If you travel to any of these countries in the 10 days prior to going to the UK, you will be denied entry. There will be more detailed information on UK travel restrictions and requirements down below.
According to CNN, “UK residents traveling from destinations on the ‘red list,’ which includes South Africa, Namibia and the UAE, can enter the country, but they must quarantine on arrival in a hotel.” They must quarantine in a designated hotel at their own expense, and this system came into effect on February 15. If your country is not on the red list, you can travel to the UK and comply with the requirements linked below. Non-UK citizens from high risk countries will be refused entry, meaning that for if you are not a British national and your country is on the red list, you cannot travel to the UK. Per the BBC, the Department of Transport says “British nationals currently in the UAE should make use of the commercial options available if they wish to return to the UK.” It’s important to check with your airline about flight updates.
If you plan to travel to the UK, see this link for a full checklist of requirements. You will need proof of a negative PCR test and a completed passenger locator form. You will need to quarantine for 10 days and take 2 coronavirus tests after you arrive in the UK. As CNN explains it, visitors can leave quarantine early with a negative test after five days, which is known as the test to release scheme. This option is not available if you’re coming from a red list country.
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