COVID-19: UK'S 14-day quarantine rule for travellers in force amid airline anger
LONDON: The UK'S compulsory 14-day quarantine for inbound travellers, by air, rail or ferries, came into force on the country's borders from Monday amid protests from the airline industry.
As part of a phase by phase easing of the Coronavirus lockdown within the country, all passengers except a small number of exemptions for essential workers will have to fill out an online locator form giving their contact and travel details and the address of where they will self-isolate for two weeks.
Regulations for England include fixed penalty notices of GBP 1,000 (USD 1,268) or prosecution for anyone who breaches the rules, with police being allowed to use "reasonable force" to make sure people comply.
British Airways has begun legal proceedings after sending a pre-action letter to ministers on Friday. Backed by Ryanair and Easyjet, it released a joint statement to urge the government to rethink the measures.
"These measures are disproportionate and unfair on British citizens as well as international visitors arriving in the UK, the statement reads.
"We urge the UK govt to remove this ineffective visitor quarantine which will have a devastating effect on UK'S tourism industry and will destroy (even more) thousands of jobs in this unprecedented crisis," it said.
UK Border Force officers will carry out checks at the border and may refuse entry to a non-resident foreign national who refuses to comply with the regulations.