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LONDON, Dec 3 (Reuters) - England announced new quarantine
exemptions for "high-value" business travellers, performing arts
professionals, journalists and certain others, meaning that if
they meet certain conditions they will not have to self-isolate
on arrival in the country.
The exemptions will take effect from 4 a.m. (0400 GMT) on
Dec. 5.
As things stand, all passengers arriving in England from
abroad are required to self-isolate for 14 days, unless they are
coming from a country included on a safe travel list available
on the UK government website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors).
"From 4am on Sat 5th Dec high-value business travellers will
no longer need to self-isolate when returning to ENGLAND from a
country NOT in a travel corridor, allowing more travel to
support the economy and jobs. Conditions apply," Transport
Secretary Grant Shapps said on Twitter.
"Certain performing arts professionals, TV production staff,
journalists, and recently signed elite sportspersons will also
be exempt, subject to specific criteria being met."
In a more detailed statement, the Department for Transport
said that the high-value business exemption would apply to
people undertaking specific business activity which would
deliver a significant benefit to the UK economy. That includes
activity that creates or preserves 50 or more UK jobs, it said.
People will only be exempt when undertaking the specific
business activity and will only be able to meet with others as
required by that specific activity.
"Exemptions will also come into force at the same time for
domestic and international performing arts professionals, TV
production staff, journalists, and recently signed elite
sportspersons, ensuring that industries which require specific,
high talent individuals who rely on international connections
can continue to complete their work," the ministry said.
It said further information would be available on the
government website when the exemptions came into force.
The government had previously announced that the quarantine
rules would change for all passengers on Dec. 15, in that people
would have the option of taking a COVID-19 test after five days
of self-isolation. If the result was negative, people would then
be released from self-isolation.
(Reporting by William James and Estelle Shirbon, editing by
Andrew MacAskill)
