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Coronavirus: What are the new travel quarantine rules? Coronavirus: What are the new travel quarantine rules?
(about 2 hours later)
A two-week quarantine period is expected to come into force for anyone arriving in the UK from abroad - except those travelling from the Republic of Ireland or France. A two-week quarantine period for people arriving in the UK will be introduced, the government has said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the measure will soon be imposed to try to prevent imported coronavirus cases infecting the population, but he did not address the length of the quarantine period or how it will be enforced. The measures are being imposed to try to prevent imported coronavirus cases infecting the population.
They will not apply to travellers from the Republic of Ireland.
What are the new quarantine rules?What are the new quarantine rules?
UK airlines and airports say they have been told the measures will come in at the end of May. In a speech to the nation, Mr Johnson said he was ''serving notice'' that the quarantine measures would come in soon, but did not give a more detailed timeframe. In its newly-published Covid-19 Recovery Strategy document, the government says quarantine measures for people arriving in the UK will be introduced "as soon as possible".
He added that the UK's falling infection rate meant introducing quarantine would now be more effective and prevent "reinfection from abroad". The government later clarified the rules would apply not just to air passengers, but also those arriving by other means of travel - such as train or ferry. If international travellers cannot say where they plan to self-isolate, then they will do so in accommodation arranged by the government.
The UK and France have since issued a joint statement saying quarantine measures do not apply ''at this stage'' to those crossing between the two countries. The rules will not just apply to air passengers, but also those arriving by other means of travel such as ferry or train as well.
The announcement has raised questions about whether international travellers could avoid 14 days in isolation by passing through France on their way to the UK. Number 10 says further details of the new rules will be set out before they come into force. There will be some exemptions from quarantine for international travellers, including people arriving from the Republic of Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area.
It is expected that all other passengers arriving in the UK would have to self-isolate for a fortnight at a private residence. Key workers such as lorry drivers who transport goods and people working in the shipping industry are expected to be exempt. The government has already said in a separate statement that travellers from France would be exempt from any quarantine rules.
There will also be further exemptions "to provide for continued security of supply into the UK and so as not to impede work supporting national security or critical infrastructure and to meet the UK's international obligations".
The government says further details and guidance will be announced "shortly".
UK airlines and airports said they had been told the measures would come in at the end of May.
Speaking ahead of an official announcement, industry body Airlines UK said the policy needed "a credible exit plan" and should be reviewed weekly. UK airports fear the measures will have devastating impact on their industry and the wider economy.Speaking ahead of an official announcement, industry body Airlines UK said the policy needed "a credible exit plan" and should be reviewed weekly. UK airports fear the measures will have devastating impact on their industry and the wider economy.
What about face masks, gloves and temperature checks?What about face masks, gloves and temperature checks?
People travelling through Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports will now be told to cover their faces and wear gloves.People travelling through Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports will now be told to cover their faces and wear gloves.
Passengers will be given face coverings and gloves initially. Airport staff will also wear them.Passengers will be given face coverings and gloves initially. Airport staff will also wear them.
Manchester Airports Group, which owns the sites, said the measure will show "one way in which air travel can be made safe".Manchester Airports Group, which owns the sites, said the measure will show "one way in which air travel can be made safe".
Some temperature screening trials will also be conducted at Stansted. Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, is already trialling large-scale temperature checks.Some temperature screening trials will also be conducted at Stansted. Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, is already trialling large-scale temperature checks.
Chief executive John Holland-Kaye has called for a common international standard for health screening at airports "to build confidence in international travel".Chief executive John Holland-Kaye has called for a common international standard for health screening at airports "to build confidence in international travel".
Air France says passengers will be temperature checked before flying from 11 May. The carrier is also making face masks compulsory - similar to several US airlines.Air France says passengers will be temperature checked before flying from 11 May. The carrier is also making face masks compulsory - similar to several US airlines.
What about social distancing on flights?What about social distancing on flights?
Aer Lingus has said it will review procedures following a claim it did not maintain social distancing among passengers on a Belfast-London flight.Aer Lingus has said it will review procedures following a claim it did not maintain social distancing among passengers on a Belfast-London flight.
EasyJet has said it plans to keep the middle seats on planes empty for a time once UK lockdown restrictions are lifted. Emirates and the US airline Delta have announced similar plans.EasyJet has said it plans to keep the middle seats on planes empty for a time once UK lockdown restrictions are lifted. Emirates and the US airline Delta have announced similar plans.
But Michael O'Leary, the boss of Ryanair, has said empty seats do not ensure safe social distancing and are financially unviable.But Michael O'Leary, the boss of Ryanair, has said empty seats do not ensure safe social distancing and are financially unviable.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the body representing global airlines, says leaving the middle seat empty would not improve passenger safety. It says most airlines would not have made money last year if a third of the seats had been removed.The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the body representing global airlines, says leaving the middle seat empty would not improve passenger safety. It says most airlines would not have made money last year if a third of the seats had been removed.
How many people are still flying?How many people are still flying?
Far fewer people are flying since the Foreign Office advised against international travel.Far fewer people are flying since the Foreign Office advised against international travel.
Between 16 and 22 April, for example, the number of air passengers coming into the UK was 99% lower than the same period in 2019.Between 16 and 22 April, for example, the number of air passengers coming into the UK was 99% lower than the same period in 2019.
American Airlines said social distancing had been possible "for all passengers", suggesting that its aircraft have a lot of empty seats. And Virgin Atlantic said many of its flights in April were only a quarter full.American Airlines said social distancing had been possible "for all passengers", suggesting that its aircraft have a lot of empty seats. And Virgin Atlantic said many of its flights in April were only a quarter full.
Meanwhile, Ryanair carried 40,000 passengers in April - down from 13.5 million in the same month last year.Meanwhile, Ryanair carried 40,000 passengers in April - down from 13.5 million in the same month last year.
How safe is air travel?How safe is air travel?
If you have to fly, it's a common belief that you are more likely to become ill on an aeroplane, because you're breathing "stale" air.If you have to fly, it's a common belief that you are more likely to become ill on an aeroplane, because you're breathing "stale" air.
However, according to the World Health Organization, the quality of air in a plane cabin is very carefully controlled and changed up to 30 times an hour.However, according to the World Health Organization, the quality of air in a plane cabin is very carefully controlled and changed up to 30 times an hour.
However, there is a greater likelihood of the virus being transmitted if passengers are close together - usually as a result of an infected individual coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces.However, there is a greater likelihood of the virus being transmitted if passengers are close together - usually as a result of an infected individual coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces.
This is the same as in any other situation in which people are close to each other, such as on a train or a bus.This is the same as in any other situation in which people are close to each other, such as on a train or a bus.
What's the advice for air travellers?What's the advice for air travellers?
Public Health England says passengers should sit as far apart as possible.Public Health England says passengers should sit as far apart as possible.
The National Travel Health Network and Centre - which was set up by the Department of Health - offers the following advice:The National Travel Health Network and Centre - which was set up by the Department of Health - offers the following advice:
You should not be travelling if you are unwell, or if you have tested positive for Covid-19.You should not be travelling if you are unwell, or if you have tested positive for Covid-19.