Search icon

Coronavirus

12th Jan 2021

From Friday, you’ll need a negative coronavirus test to enter England

From Friday, you will need a negative coronavirus test result to enter England. Current guidance bans travel unless for "legally permitted" reasons

Alex Roberts

coronavirus test

Current government guidance bans travel unless for “legally permitted” purposes, such as essential work

From this Friday, you will need a negative coronavirus test result if you are arriving into the UK.

The new measures were announced last week by the government, but will finally come into force from 4am GMT this Friday.

Many will still be critical, however, at the length of time it has taken to implement the travel ban. Many nations across the globe have outlawed international travel for months.

From 4am on Friday, January 15th, people arriving into England by boat, train or plane will have to have taken a Covid test up to 72 hours before leaving their country of departure.

Arrivals into the UK must receive a negative test result to gain entry. The measures apply to all UK nationals, in addition to those who are not permanent residents of the UK.

Those who break the rules will face a fine of at least £500, as will the operator with which they travelled.

You will still have to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival into the UK, according to the transport minister – regardless of having received a positive or negative test result.

Current government guidelines ban international travel unless it is for a “legally permitted” purpose, such as essential work.

In a statement, transport minister Robert Courts said: “If a passenger arrives in England without a pre-departure negative test result they will be fined.

“We will amend the International Travel Regulations so that fines, starting at £500, can be levied on non-compliant passengers.”

Passengers and carriers will be made aware of what is acceptable when travelling, Courts added.

“We will keep test standards and innovative testing technologies under review,” he said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ8RoqUj5HG/

The government has also announced that arrivals from the United Arab Emirates will have to self-isolate for 10 days upon arrival.