France, Malta and Netherlands added to UK quarantine list as holidaymakers face 14-day isolation
Malta #Malta
Six more countries have been added to the UK’s travel quarantine list, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.
Britons travelling from France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks & Caicos & Aruba must self-isolate for 14 days if they arrive in the UK after 4am on Saturday.
The move came after Boris Johnson said ministers would be “absolutely ruthless” in deciding on whether to impose the measures on a host of new nations.
The decision to add France will cause dismay for thousands of British holidaymakers currently in the country.
Last year 9.27 million Britons enjoyed trips to the country, making it the most popular destination after Spain.
The crackdown was made in response to the spread of the virus, with the latest 14-day cumulative figures showing 32.1 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in France, compared with 18.5 in the UK.
Before the announcement was made, Mr Johnson said: “We have got to be absolutely ruthless about this, even with our closest and dearest friends and partners.
“I think everybody understands that.”
Mr Johnson said the Government could not allow the UK’s population to be “reinfected or the disease to come back in”.
“That is why the quarantine measures are very important and we have to apply them in a very strict way,” he said during a visit to Belfast.
Meanwhile France’s secretary of state for European affairs said the UK decision would lead to “reciprocal measures” across the Channel.
Clement Beaune tweeted: “A British decision which we regret and which will lead to reciprocal measures, all in hoping for a return for normal as soon as possible.”
Downing Street’s decision was finalised after the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England indicated a significant change in Covid-19 risk in each of the destinations.
The Foreign Office has now updated its advice to warn against all but essential travel to the six nations because of the heightened risk of infection.
Department for Transport officials said that data from France shows that over the past week there has been a 66 per cent increase in newly reported cases and a 52 per cent increase in weekly incidence rate per 100,000 population, indicating a sharp rise in Covid-19.
There has been a consistent increase in newly reported cases in the Netherlands over the past four weeks, with a 52 per cent increase in newly reported cases between August 7 and 13.
Over the past week, there has been a 273 per cent increase in newly reported cases in Turks & Caicos and 1,106 per cent increase in newly reported cases in Aruba.
Malta has had a 105 per cent increase in newly reported cases over the past week.
Patrick Ikhena, head of travel at comparethemarket.com, said: “Today’s announcement will likely impact the holiday plans of people who considered France, Malta and the Netherlands to be less risky destinations for a summer getaway.
“Those who still plan to travel despite the requirements to quarantine upon return should contact their insurer to explore their options and ascertain their level of cover.
“Generally speaking, if the FCO has not explicitly stated that you shouldn’t travel to these regions, but you decide not to travel due to quarantine requirements, this will be deemed ‘disinclination to travel’ and you are unlikely to be covered by your policy.
“If your holiday plans have been impacted by the Government’s decision, it may be worth contacting your airline or other transportation providers who may be able to offer you a change of destination.
“Those who still choose to travel to France, Malta or the Netherlands must follow FCO guidance first and foremost and check for any local restrictions and requirements ahead of departure.
“As these regions are increasingly seen as more risky holiday destinations in light of growing Covid-19 infection rates, it is essential that travellers keep a close eye on restrictions, infection rates and the latest FCO advice for your desired holiday destination, as these can change daily.”