Health Secretary for England Matt Hancock has unveiled tough new rules for anyone who wants to come into the UK - including the potential for people to be jailed for up to 10 years.
Mr Hancock, speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, said he made 'no apologies' for how tough the new punishments will be.
He said people lying about where there have been when coming to the UK in a bid to avoid hotel quarantine could be jailed for up to 10 years.
People refusing to quarantine on arrival from one of the 'red list countries' can be fined between £5,000 and £10,000.
Matt Hancock said the UK must “strengthen our defences yet further”.
Setting out the new health measures at the border which will come into force on Monday, Mr Hancock said: “The new measures build on the tough action that we’ve already taken.”
He added: “Every passenger must demonstrate a negative test result 72 hours before they travel to the UK and every passenger must quarantine for 10 days.
“Arriving in this country involves a two-week process for all.”
On the 33 red list countries, Mr Hancock continued: “But even with these tough measures in place we must strengthen our defences yet further.
“I appreciate what a significant challenge this is.”
Anyone who refuses to take a first Covid test two days after arriving in the Uk will be fined £1,000 - and those who fail to take the second test will be fined £2,000.
Mr Hancock said the rules will apply on Monday, with full guidance issued from Thursday.
There will be a new portal for those arriving in the UK to book their quarantine hotel and tests.
They will have to pay £1,750 for 'a quarantine package' which will see them isolated in a hotel room under security guarding.
Mr Hancock made it clear traveling for leisure is illegal.
He said there will be similar rules across the Uk and in Ireland.
tomcatty: Health Secretary for England Matt Hancock has unveiled tough new rules for anyone who wants to come into the UK - including the potential for people to be jailed for up to 10 years.
Mr Hancock, speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, said he made 'no apologies' for how tough the new punishments will be.
He said people lying about where there have been when coming to the UK in a bid to avoid hotel quarantine could be jailed for up to 10 years.
People refusing to quarantine on arrival from one of the 'red list countries' can be fined between £5,000 and £10,000.
Matt Hancock said the UK must “strengthen our defences yet further”.
Setting out the new health measures at the border which will come into force on Monday, Mr Hancock said: “The new measures build on the tough action that we’ve already taken.”
He added: “Every passenger must demonstrate a negative test result 72 hours before they travel to the UK and every passenger must quarantine for 10 days.
“Arriving in this country involves a two-week process for all.”
On the 33 red list countries, Mr Hancock continued: “But even with these tough measures in place we must strengthen our defences yet further.
“I appreciate what a significant challenge this is.”
Anyone who refuses to take a first Covid test two days after arriving in the Uk will be fined £1,000 - and those who fail to take the second test will be fined £2,000.
Mr Hancock said the rules will apply on Monday, with full guidance issued from Thursday.
There will be a new portal for those arriving in the UK to book their quarantine hotel and tests.
They will have to pay £1,750 for 'a quarantine package' which will see them isolated in a hotel room under security guarding.
Mr Hancock made it clear traveling for leisure is illegal.
He said there will be similar rules across the Uk and in Ireland.
We’ve got to batten down the hatches—- it’s bloody hell right now. Last year non-compliance in Fort Lauderdale (U.S.) resulted in THOUSANDS of deaths...no one likes this new social atmosphere but if we want to live....I think I would agree with this cabinet administrator...here, someone with AIDS who knowingly infects someone else can be charged with attempted murder. It’s badass out there, folks...wanna live or not? Don’t like airline security and rules? Take the bus...you got choices...if your boss demands air travel or the boot— take the boot. You can get another boss. You can’t get another ‘life’. Be smart.
rohaan: We’ve got to batten down the hatches—- it’s bloody hell right now. Last year non-compliance in Fort Lauderdale (U.S.) resulted in THOUSANDS of deaths...no one likes this new social atmosphere but if we want to live....I think I would agree with this cabinet administrator...here, someone with AIDS who knowingly infects someone else can be charged with attempted murder. It’s badass out there, folks...wanna live or not? Don’t like airline security and rules? Take the bus...you got choices...if your boss demands air travel or the boot— take the boot. You can get another boss. You can’t get another ‘life’. Be smart.
PeKaatjeAnkeveen, North Holland Netherlands6,334 posts
think the UK government is doing the right thing, they show the rest of the world they're boss over their own borders once again. After more than 30 years in the EU disaster Britain rises from the ashes. First the fire will burn a little harder, but in the end all will be okay.
PeKaatje: think the UK government is doing the right thing, they show the rest of the world they're boss over their own borders once again. After more than 30 years in the EU disaster Britain rises from the ashes. First the fire will burn a little harder, but in the end all will be okay.
The EU is already trying to push the UK around as punishment for taking our freedom. Well EU, spin on this, we have beaten you before.
Selenite: I guess I won't be seeing my loved ones for a while None of us can afford over 1000 for the quarantine plus tests costs on top of the travel costs ...
As usual the only ones who get it in the neck by any measures are ordinary people. The well off can carry on regardless
Sorry Selenite, don't shoot the messenger, but at least they are hitting the well off where it hurts. A year too late.
At one time the government was grateful for the fact that so few owe so much to so many. Voluntarily prison was doing them a favour but not anymore with this increasingly entitled and Draconian government. Absolutely no respect just an obligation to take liberties.
Selenite: I guess I won't be seeing my loved ones for a while None of us can afford over 1000 for the quarantine plus tests costs on top of the travel costs ...
As usual the only ones who get it in the neck by any measures are ordinary people. The well off can carry on regardless
It is called elitism...the pandemic sure showed the root of it....
Make rules..that they themselves do not follow...
They sit behind their ivory towers...with the National Guard protecting them...
When for months, the most vulnerable had rioting in their neighborhoods....
Well I just read today that "the quarantine hotels" mentioned in the OP's opening post are for British people returning to the England and Ireland from a certain list of countries, and at first glance most of them are not in the EU apart from Portugal
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Mr Hancock, speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, said he made 'no apologies' for how tough the new punishments will be.
He said people lying about where there have been when coming to the UK in a bid to avoid hotel quarantine could be jailed for up to 10 years.
People refusing to quarantine on arrival from one of the 'red list countries' can be fined between £5,000 and £10,000.
Matt Hancock said the UK must “strengthen our defences yet further”.
Setting out the new health measures at the border which will come into force on Monday, Mr Hancock said: “The new measures build on the tough action that we’ve already taken.”
He added: “Every passenger must demonstrate a negative test result 72 hours before they travel to the UK and every passenger must quarantine for 10 days.
“Arriving in this country involves a two-week process for all.”
On the 33 red list countries, Mr Hancock continued: “But even with these tough measures in place we must strengthen our defences yet further.
“I appreciate what a significant challenge this is.”
Anyone who refuses to take a first Covid test two days after arriving in the Uk will be fined £1,000 - and those who fail to take the second test will be fined £2,000.
Mr Hancock said the rules will apply on Monday, with full guidance issued from Thursday.
There will be a new portal for those arriving in the UK to book their quarantine hotel and tests.
They will have to pay £1,750 for 'a quarantine package' which will see them isolated in a hotel room under security guarding.
Mr Hancock made it clear traveling for leisure is illegal.
He said there will be similar rules across the Uk and in Ireland.
About time
ref House of Commons