As Heathrow airport reveals its new testing centre for those arriving in the UK, there have been calls for a Covid-19 test to be introduced to shorten the amount of time that Britons have to quarantine for. However, it looks like this type of testing in the UK is still a bit of a way off, as Ministers are unsure of its effectiveness at this time.
Airport-based testing is used in more than 30 different countries. Although, the UK does not currently allow the quarantine time to be reduced if the traveller tests negative upon arrival.
Quarantine restrictions are applicable for anyone returning from a country that is not detailed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) corridor list. Those who visit or make a transit stop in a country that is not listed on the corridor list will also be required to quarantine upon their arrival to the UK, even if they do not stay there for a prolonged amount of time.
Spain, France, Malta, Croatia, and the Netherlands are just a few popular destinations that require Britons to self-isolate upon their return. And anyone who fails to quarantine for the full two weeks puts themselves at risk of being fined up to £1,000 if caught.
However, a small piece of good news, Portugal has just been included in the FCO ‘safe corridor list’. This means that Britons are now able to travel to the country with the FCO’s blessing – and without invalidating their travel insurance. Furthermore, they will not need to quarantine when they return back to the UK.
It’s worth being aware that those who are forced to quarantine upon their return to the UK, and as a result unable to go to work, will not be able to claim for things such as loss of earnings through their travel insurance policy.
