Quarantine rules
Alongside infection spread through private gatherings, we are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases as a result of increased labour immigration. This is partly due to the fact that some people have not been following the current rules. In addition, the serious infection situation in Europe means that there is a greater risk of imported infection, as the scheme that is currently in place exempts foreign workers from the duty of quarantine. That is why the Government is now tightening the rules for labour immigration:

• Foreign workers from countries classified as ‘red’ by the EU will no longer be exempt from the duty of quarantine. The EU defines countries as red if the number of newly notified COVID-19 cases is more than 150 per 100 000 people during a 14-day period, or if the 14-day cumulative coronavirus case notification rate is 50 or more per 100 000 people and 4 % or more of tests for coronavirus infection are positive. Foreign workers arriving in Norway from these countries must go into quarantine for 10 days and cannot start working until this quarantine period is over. This change will come into effect at midnight on Friday 30 October. It will not have retroactive effect
• Foreign workers from other countries may still be exempt from the duty of quarantine. But the rules for them are also being tightened: workers who are allowed to work but must be in quarantine during leisure time are to be tested once every three days and must be given accommodation in a single room for the first 10 days of their stay in Norway. The employer is now explicitly required to ensure that it is possible to maintain social distancing when undergoing quarantine during leisure time. These changes will not have retroactive effect.
• The Norwegian Directorate of Health and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health have now been tasked with reviewing the quarantine rules to assess the need for further clarification.

At a hastily arranged call this afternoon (30 min notice) the DfT advised members of the travel industry that the Travel Declaration Form mentioned in the PM's roadmap is to go live from 4am on Monday 8th March.

Despite the shocking late notice and poorly thought through scheme, causing fury with the aviation and shipping companies present on the call, it will be critical all passengers over 18 years of age leaving England ( not Scotland, Wales or NI as they are not implementing) on Monday must have this form completed.

If they fail to have this form and are challenged by Police they will face a £200 penalty for not having a form and possibly a second £200 penalty for having left their house for an illegal purpose.

The government are also asking airline and shipping companies staff to check for this form on check in, whether in person or on-line as they know the police force don’t have the resources to monitor that all travellers have this form. Given the short notice this may not be available for on line check in before Monday with some operators.

This form is set to be required until International Travel restarts.

The form and exemptions from this form will be published on gov.uk site later.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-declaration-form-for-international-travel#travel-declaration-form

Source BTA

Covid-19 test reference numbers need to be added to the Passenger Locator Form for inbound passengers – these changes come into effect from tomorrow morning but it would appear that airlines are being given a period of 4 days’ grace to implement these changes before they need to deny any passengers boarding if their test information is not in the correct format.

Further information on the testing requirements for inbound travellers can be found https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/before-you-leave-for-the-uk