What’s the Story
In its attempt to address concerns regarding the emergence of the new coronavirus variant, new and tougher border policies were rolled-out in England on Tuesday.
The guidelines states that visitors arriving to England coming from what the government considers as “red list” countries will be required to purchase “quarantine package” worth $2,400 dollars that includes accommodation, virus testing and other items.
It also mentions that travelers will face up to 10 years prison sentence if they try to conceal any recent visits to the countries included on the travel ban list.
Lying on arrival could mean 10 years in prison in England
Individuals not abiding by the rules, including those arriving from a red list country without a hotel booked, also could be subject to a series of fines.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that starting Monday, residents of the United Kingdom and Ireland arriving in England from the places on the government’s “red list” will have to purchase a “quarantine package” that costs 1,750 pounds ($2,400) per person and covers accommodation, virus testing and other items, Los Angeles Times reports.
Anyone arriving in England and found to have lied about a recent visit to a country on the British government’s travel ban list faces up to 10 years in prison under new tough coronavirus border policies.
However, British and Irish citizens, as well as all other U.K. residents, are permitted to enter provided they self-isolate for 10 days after their arrival.
Travelers to England can face 10 years in prison under new COVID-19 policy
U.K. recorded 12,364 new cases and 1,052 deaths on Tuesday. There have been 113,850 total deaths tied to the virus.
According to Fox News, Britain’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock made headlines last week when he said in an interview that the 2011 movie “Contagion” helped to influence his approach on how best to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine in the U.K.
The new policy came into effect on Monday, where is states that any traveler who visits England from a “red list” country faces steep fines and a possible 10-year prison sentence.
Hancock said that from Monday, residents of the U.K. and Ireland arriving in England from the places on the government’s “red list” will have to purchase a “quarantine package” that costs $2,400 per person and covers accommodation, virus testing and other items.
New Covid border rules for the UK set out by Matt Hancock
