UNITED KINGDOM: Country's government announces updates to upcoming COVID-19 entry restrictions
The UK government has today, 9 February, announced further updates to COVID-19 border measures due to take effect from 15 February; from this date, all international arrivals, whether subject to home quarantine or hotel quarantine, will be required by law to take two further COVID-19 PCR tests on day two and day eight of that quarantine. In addition, UK and Irish residents entering England from 33 “red list” countries will be required to book a mandatory hotel quarantine stay through an online booking platform, at a cost of £1750 for an individual travelling alone - this package will include the hotel stay, transport and testing. A booking platform for both of these initiatives is due to go live on Thursday 11 February, when full guidance will reportedly be published. A raft of penalties, including large fines and imprisonment, will also be introduced for anyone in breach of these rules. The devolved UK nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to announce similar, confirmed measures shortly.