Author: Lottie O’Neill
Ministers are considering toughening the UK border, and are believed to be discussing whether international arrivals will need to have a negative Covid test before travelling to Britain
The Government is understood to be considering toughening border controls to the UK, it’s been reported.
It may also require international arrivals to have a negative test before travelling to Britain, reports the Press Agency.
It’s believed hauliers would be exempt if rules were tightened.
The news comes as England has been plunged into a third lockdown until mid-February, with schools closing and people slapped with a stay-at-home order.
On Monday evening, Boris Johnson announced the country would be once again subjected to strict restrictions following a huge increase in Covid cases.
If brought into action, passengers will be required to show a negative result from no more than 72 hours before departure.about:blank?unblock=true
However, rules could be tightened further and new arrivals may need a second test when land on British soil.
Under current rules, travellers must fill out a passenger locator form before quarantining if flying from a country not on the Government’s ‘travel corridor’ list.
Flights from South Africa have already been barred by the Govt, where one of the new strains has been traced back to, with new arrivals required to adhere to stricter forms of self isolation.
Brits were urged to stay at home from tonight, with all primary schools, secondary schools and colleges moved to remote learning from tomorrow – Tuesday, January 5.
However, early years, including nurseries, special schools and alt provision, will remain open. Schools will remain open for children of key workers and vulnerable kids who can attend face-to-face.
The third national lockdown was put in place after the number of hospital admissions increased to a higher amount than at any point during the first coronavirus wave last year.
Pubs, cafes and restaurants will be forced to close from midnight (January 5), with restaurants able to operate a delivery or takeaway service.
But takeaway or click and collect of alcohol will no longer be allowed, and non-essential shops in the hospitality sector, as well as personal care services, must shut if not already closed.
Around 44 million people in England were already under Tier 4 lockdown, approximately 78% of the population.
But now people across the country are being told to stay at home other than for limited exceptions, with measures expected to last until mid-February.
The clinically vulnerable are advised to begin shielding again.
The lockdown will become law as soon as possible, with MPs being recalled early from Christmas break on Wednesday.
But Mr Johnson urged the public to follow the rules straight away.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/breaking-uk-border-controls-be-23262227
