Gas constraints, poor transmission facilities stall Nigeria’s 10,000 MW power generation plan. Beginning December 28, travelers from the UK will need to test negative, via PCR or Antigen test, no more than 72 hours before departing to the US. The Covid vaccine could be given to first UK patients as soon as December (Picture: Getty) The news of coronavirus vaccines being rolled out in the UK has Brits daring to … For Scotland. Non-essential travel from the United Kingdom to the European Union will no longer be allowed as of 1 January due to the coronavirus restrictions set in place as a result of Brexit. Updated Covid travel restrictions for UK visitors as some nations ease curbs. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on French politics. The European Council was expected to meet at 11h (10h GMT) on Monday to iron out a co-ordinated EU-wide response to the UK variant of the coronavirus which has prompted numerous countries - including France-to ban travel from the UK.An announcement outlining the council's decisions is expected some time on Monday afternoon. BRITONS visiting Ireland have been warned they must take a coronavirus test or face a hefty £2,000 fine, according to the country's tough new restrictions. Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel within Common Travel Area You should travel only if it is absolutely necessary and if you have any symptoms of coronavirus you should not travel. Individual member countries can override the Council’s recommendation. The spokesperson said that from January 1, the U.K. will be subject to the Council’s recommendation on external travel restrictions, a system that only allows non-essential EU travel to a handful of non-EU countries. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. European nations have begun to impose travel bans on the UK after it reported a more-infectious and "out of control" coronavirus variant. Gas constraints, poor transmission facilities stall Nigeria’s 10,000 MW power generation plan. These countries have banned UK travel over new Covid-19 strain concerns. PEOPLE can still travel to Britain from South Africa through indirect flights despite fears over the country’s new mutant Covid strain. Quarantine will still be required for arriving passengers, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. From financial services to trade, technology, cybersecurity and more, Pro delivers real time intelligence, deep insight and breaking scoops you need to keep one step ahead. Paris has overtaken Heathrow as Europe’s largest airport for the first time ever.”, In December, the home secretary, Priti Patel, wrongly claimed that travellers to the UK already faced tests. All travellers from the UK, including children aged 11 and above, will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure. Sign of the times: Covid testing centre at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Government to introduce mandatory Covid tests for UK-bound travellers, Testing and travel: PCR, Lamp and TMA tests explained, Heathrow CEO asks Boris Johnson for pre-departure tests for travellers, Grant Shapps refuses demand for coronavirus airport testing on arrival, You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully, Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable, Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties, We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification. The government may also impose a requirement to be tested on arrival. Campaigning, lobbying and political influence in the U.K. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers in Europe. On 24 December, the UK banned travel from South Africa amid concerns over another new strain of the virus linked to that country. While travel had been allowed – within reason – until the end of the Brexit transition period, that will no longer be the case from next year due to the UK no longer falling under rules allowing it. Latest news, analysis and comment from POLITICO’s editors and guest writers on German politics. In October, Mr Shapps appeared to hint that new data supported the government’s position, saying: “This is what has taken time to get to the bottom of, that you’d only pick up about seven per cent of those who are asymptomatic coming off that flight on day zero.” But the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that it was a reference to the same theoretical study. COVID-19 travel guidance. If the result is negative, you can stop self-isolating. Countries across the world have imposed travel restrictions on the UK after a new strain of Covid was identified. argentina Boris Johnson canada Chile Colombia COVID-19 UK travel. Boris Johnson imposed a strict Tier 4 … The UK government tightened its COVID-19 restrictions for London and nearby areas, disrupting Christmas holiday plans for millions. The Independent understands that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests taken no more than 72 hours before departure to the UK may be mandatory only for foreigners; some government figures are pressing for British nationals and those resident in the UK to be exempt. A Commission spokesperson said: “The U.K. is not part of the Schengen Area, and following the end of the transition period, it will also no longer be treated similarly to a member state.”. Reciprocity should also be taken into account, according to the Council. UK hit by travel bans as Christmas Covid lockdown starts. Other factors taken into consideration on whether a country should be exempt include “containment measures, including physical distancing, as well as economic and social considerations.”. She told the BBC’s Today programme: “We ask passengers to take tests before they get on aeroplanes.”, Heathrow airport tweeted: “We continue to request that the UK government establish a common international standard for pre-departure testing to ensure safer travel to and from all destinations.”. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? COVID-19: Germany extends UK travel ban to 6 January - despite EU urging countries to lift restrictions. Following the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases in parts of England, of which a large proportion belongs to a new variant of the virus, the Commission adopted a Recommendation on a coordinated approach to travel and transport measures on 22 December. CEO of travel consultancy, The PC Agency, Paul Charles posted on Twitter yesterday evening that all international arrivals into the UK could be asked to provide proof of a negative covid … Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. Asked if COVID will make it more difficult for U.K. residents to travel to the EU after January 1, U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC Radio 4's "Today" program: "COVID restrictions will depend on the combination of what the EU decides but also member states and we've already got challenges with that, and of course we've put our own restrictions in place. Grenada Additionally, anyone who has been in the UK … Want more analysis from POLITICO? UK Covid clampdown: Travellers to be hit with £500 fine if they do not show negative test TRAVELLERS will have to show they have tested negative for Covid-19 … Eleven countries have been added to a UK travel ban list after a new mutant strain of Covid-19 was found in South Africa. London — There is a new strain of coronavirus in the United Kingdom that health experts are saying is more contagious. At the No 10 press conference on Tuesday, the prime minister told Andrew Woodcock of The Independent: "We will be bringing in measures to ensure that we test people coming into this country and prevent the virus being readmitted.”. U.K. residents could be barred from entering the EU for non-essential travel once the Brexit transition period ends on December 31 because of COVID restrictions affecting non-EU countries. Latest news, analysis and comment on security in Europe and beyond. At the same time, Mr Holland-Kaye said: “Britain is falling behind because we’ve been too slow to embrace passenger testing. International travel is increasingly restricted. Now the Foreign Office has updated its travel … CNN Staff • Updated 8th January 2021. COVID-19: Spain joins growing list of countries to ban travel from UK over mutated strain fears. It also shouldn’t prevent Brits from traveling to the EU for reasons considered to be essential, such as work, study or urgent family reasons. Boris Johnson imposed a strict Tier 4 … UK travellers are not permitted to use the free NHS testing service and must instead go through a private firm to obtain their result. Under the scheme you can choose to pay for a private COVID-19 test. UK travel ban over new strain of Covid-19 is the start of vindictive EU’s Brexit backlash against Britain Chris Sweeney Chris Sweeney is an author and columnist who has written for newspapers such as The Times, Daily Express, The Sun and Daily Record, … Local COVID alert levels are sometimes called ‘tiers’ or known as a ‘local lockdown’. The UK has introduced new border restrictions on South Africa, effective immediately, amid concerns that a new Covid-19 variant has been imported from the country. Related Video and Audio. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean a blanket ban for travel from Britain. More countries banned travel from the UK on Monday amid concern over a more infectious strain of Covid-19 as French restrictions curtailed freight transport across the English Channel. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. Only the following categories of people are currently authorised to travel to France from the UK. Only the following categories of people are currently authorised to travel to France from the UK. Boris Johnson said in September: “Ninety-three per cent of the time you could have a real false sense of security, a false sense of confidence when you arrive and take a test.”. You should check the COVID-19 foreign travel guidance before you travel. People who have transited through South Africa in … We take a scientific, risk-based approach to health measures at the border, and it is of course in the interests of all countries to allow safe international travel as we emerge from the pandemic.”. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Covid crisis: UK travel ban extended until December 31st Repatriation flights to bring home 300 Irish residents from the UK on Tuesday evening Tue, Dec 22, … Latest news, analysis and comment on elections in Europe and beyond. Beginning December 28, travelers from the UK will need to test negative, via PCR or Antigen test, no more than 72 hours before departing to the US. This would constitute a significant U-turn, as ministers have insisted for months that the practice would be pointless. Scroll down for more on this story, and other breaking news. The new strain is thought to be up to 70% more infectious than the original. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Following the government's announcement that a new strand of the coronavirus was spreading rapidly through the UK, several countries have imposed a travel ban on arrivals from the UK. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Covid tests and travel. The U.K.’s 14-day cumulative number of COVID cases is 317 per 100,000, as of December 9. In-depth reporting, data and actionable intelligence for policy professionals – all in one place. The earliest you can take the test is 5 full days after you left a place not on the travel corridor list. Editor's Note — Coronavirus … Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. If you do not have a login you can register here. More countries banned travel from the UK on Monday amid concern over a more infectious strain of Covid-19 as French restrictions curtailed freight transport across the English Channel. For complete details, visit: Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice (NIDIRECT.GOV.UK). Latest news, analysis and comment on defense in Europe and beyond. Passengers affected by the new rule will need to show a negative test certificate before being allowed to board trains, ferries or planes to the UK. Simon Calder. Travel to the UK during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go. COVID-19: Europe closes borders to UK travel over new COVID variant fears. Email [email protected] to request a complimentary trial. Nine months after the aviation industry started calling for testing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the UK government is set to make a negative Covid result compulsory for some travellers to the UK. Negative coronavirus certificates will be checked by airlines, train and ferry companies before people travel - and those who refuse will not be allowed to travel to Britain. Grenada Additionally, anyone who has been in the UK … Move is likely to dampen demand for travel still further. When coronavirus was first reported in China 11 months ago, and rapidly spread to northern Italy, ministers were urged to bring in tough border controls. Check the latest COVID-19 travel and testing requirements for Dubai, including advice for Dubai residents, tourists and connecting passengers. So whether you need it now, or in the near future, it could be worth a bookmark. The new strain is thought to be up to 70% more infectious than the original. "COVID … remains very much a live issue … and I'm afraid restrictions on travel is something that's going to be very much kept under review. Countries across the world have imposed travel restrictions on the UK after a new strain of Covid was identified. Create a commenting name to join the debate, There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts, There are no comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts. We strongly recommend reading the advice from your local authorities and governments, such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), as well as the guidance from the World Health Organizati… Nine months after the aviation industry started calling for testing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, the UK government is set to make a negative Covid … The move would bring the UK into line with many other countries – except that few nations exempt their own citizens and residents from testing. Here are the countries that have announced travel … Friday 08 … That’s lower than some EU countries, but significantly higher than some nations on the exempt list. The German government is restricting travel to and from the UK and South Africa because of the new coronavirus variant. The local COVID alert levels are medium, high, and very high. The options for people hoping to travel this Christmas have narrowed significantly. After the end of the year, the UK will be treated as a third country for coronavirus travel rules. The arrangements, whether we've got a free-trade deal or otherwise, are that Brits can go over there for 90 days in any 180-day period," he said. Passengers have been left stranded attempting to get in and out of Wales after several countries banned most UK travel over a new coronavirus … HOLIDAYS faced great turmoil yesterday as a huge swathe of countries barred UK flights over concerns of a new covid strain. The information on this page is specific to travel within the UK and Republic of Ireland. Pre-departure and arrival testing is likely to be welcomed by airlines and airports as a long-overdue step. “European leaders acted quicker and now their economies are reaping the benefits. Video 3 minutes 4 seconds Video 3 minutes 4 seconds 3:04. Travel by visitors to the UK from South Africa has been banned amid concern over a variant of Covid-19 linked to the country. Travelling abroad from the UK – foreign travel advice. Europe bans travel from the UK over new Covid strain: what we know so far France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria and the Netherlands have … All travellers from the UK, including children aged 11 and above, will need to present a negative COVID-19 test result, carried out less than 72 hours before departure. “Additional measures, including testing before departure, will help keep the importation of new cases to an absolute minimum, while national lockdown and vaccination take effect.”. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Are you sure you want to mark this comment as inappropriate? Explore the live extension of our journalism, The wonk's survival guide to the EU Green Deal, February 4-5 — POLITICO's 2021 EU Studies & Career Fair, Brussels sees 62 percent surge in coronavirus cases, Snowstorm Filomena forces Madrid’s airport to close, World’s cartoonists on this week’s events. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Facebook Twitter Email. Information is changing every day which can make it hard to keep up with the facts that are most relevant to you. Travel Correspondent @SimonCalder. Click here for full details. Those who fail to self-isolate can be fined £480. The mutant ‘British’ Covid-19 strain that prompted a number of European nations to shut down travel to and from the UK, and is thought to be highly contagious, has also been discovered in Italy, after it imposed its travel ban. Which can make it hard to keep up with the facts that are most relevant to.! Insisted for months that the practice would be pointless bookmarks in your Independent Premium would constitute a significant U-turn as. All subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles it 's understood as ministers have for. For an essential purpose when someone replies to your comment access content and manage your profile fears... 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