England Introduces New Pre-Departure Testing Rule For Travelers

Travelers to England from abroad will have to show that they were tested negative for coronavirus up to three days before their departure from 0400 GMT on Jan. 15.

According to the details, the new rule was announced earlier in January as the authorities are trying to stop the spread of the new, more dangerous strains of COVID-19 from other countries.

Due to lockdowns, travel into and out of Britain is at very low levels.

The government said as it provided details of new policy that the transport operators would need to check if the passengers were tested negative before the boared their flight, train or ferry. On the other hand, there would also be checks on arrival.

Passengers and transport operators who do not comply with the new rules will have to pay fines starting from 500 pounds ($677.40).

There will be a very restricted number of exemptions, including hauliers, to allow the free flow of freight, and air, international rail and maritime crew.

According to the government’s startement, the COVID-19 test must be of a diagnostic-standard test such as a PCR test, and could in some cases include LAMP and lateral flow tests within set limits.

It is worth mentioning that the new pre-departure test requirement comes to oreder after the quarantine rule which requires passengers from abroad to self-isolate for ten days, unless they decide to have a coronavirus test after five days and test nagative, releasing them early.

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