This policy was implemented to protect against new variants of the corona virus in other countries
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, LONDON – The British government will ask tourists entering the country to show negative test results for Covid-19 on arrival starting next week. This policy is implemented to protect from a new variant of the corona virus from another country.
Passengers arriving by boat, plane or train must undergo up to 72 hours of Covid-19 testing before leaving for the UK, the transport ministry said. This reflects the actions taken by many other countries around the world.
“We already have significant steps in place to prevent imported cases of Covid-19. But with the new variant of the coronavirus developing internationally, we must take further precautions,” Transport Minister Grant Shapps said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a new quarantine for Britain this week following a spike in cases linked to a new variant of the coronavirus believed to have originated in the country. On Thursday, Britain said it would extend a ban on travelers entering Britain from South Africa as well as other south African countries.
The extension of this ban is to prevent the spread of the variant identified in South Africa. Exceptions to the new testing requirement rule will be offered to carriers, children under 11, crew and people traveling from countries where testing is not available, the government said.
Passengers will be fined £ 500 or Rp. 9.4 million if they fail to comply with the new regulations. The UK aviation industry says it recognizes the need to act to introduce pre-departure testing but only as a short-term emergency measure.
“Once the vaccine launch is accelerated, the focus should be on getting travel back to normal as quickly as possible to support the UK’s economic recovery,” said Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive Officer of Airlines UK.
The UK requires passengers from many countries to self-isolate for 10 days or five days if they pay for a personal test and a negative test result. These requirements will remain in effect after the new pre-departure test rules come into effect.
The British government is working with authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to take similar action. The new rules will not apply to the General Travel Area which includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
source: Reuters
– .
