ANYONE entering the UK from next Monday – including Brits returning from holiday – will have to have a negative coronavirus test.
The new rules announced by the government last week are the latest restrictions being enforced as the UK reports record new cases and deaths.
The UK is still battling to curb infections across the country and official data on Wednesdsay revealed that 1,564 more people have died from the virus across the country – brings the total number of fatalities to 84,767.
The new rules have been delayed after Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he wanted to “give international travellers some time to prepare”.
This means the introduction of new rules requiring travellers entering England to have a negative coronavirus test until 4am on Monday.
It means passengers arriving in England by boat, train or plane – including UK nationals – will have to test negative up to 72 hours before leaving the country of departure.
The test will be checked when passengers check-in with their airline, train company or ferry before they travel, and those who refuse won’t be allowed to travel.
Anyone caught entering the UK without a negative test will face a £500 fine, and airlines will also be fined if they are caught not checking for negative test certificates.
It is estimated around 100,000 Brits are currently away in holiday hotspots such as Dubai and the Maldives who will have to find Covid tests overseas before being able to return home.
The new rules are likely to cause disruption abroad with desperate families forced to find negative coronavirus test providers, as well as cost hundreds of pounds.
It also means families face being trapped abroad in hotel rooms for two weeks if they test positive for Covid.
Destinations such as Spain, Italy and Dubai enforce a mandatory quarantine on anyone who tests positive for the virus.
Travel expert Alex Macheras told The Mail on Sunday: “People need to remember that if you test positive in a foreign country then they will be bound by their local laws and may have to quarantine for up to two weeks.”
Dubai, which has become popular with influencers and celebs in recent weeks, was placed onto the UK’s quarantine list last night.
From January 12, anyone returning from the UAE will now have to quarantine back in the UK.
However, holidays are currently off the cards for Brits – under new lockdown rules in England, people are barred from travelling abroad unless absolutely necessary for work.
