Wednesday 30 September 2020
Following the decision made by the Civil Contingencies Authority (CCA) on 10 September to vary the self-isolation requirements for A and B Countries to include regions for England, further analysis of prevalence data has taken place to extend regional variations for other countries in the United Kingdom.
With effect from 1 October 2020, regional variations will be introduced for areas of the UK as follows:
Scotland:
- Scotland: East
- Scotland: West
- Scotland: North
- Scotland: Islands (Orkney, Shetlands, Western Isles)
Wales:
- Wales: Mid Wales
- Wales: North
- Wales: South East
- Wales: South West
As before, whilst these measures will not necessarily be able to provide confidence for travel plans in what is a rapidly changing landscape, the introduction of regional classifications for the whole of the UK will be kept under regular review daily to ensure the Bailiwick continues to balance the risks of COVID-19 with ensuring that restrictive methods of travel are kept to a minimum.
Travellers are reminded that travel that includes more than one country or region, or transiting through Group A regions, may impact on their requirements to self-isolate.
Transit through a Group A country or region (or country from the broader group B list) will not count as spending time in that country or region (and therefore will not require travellers to self-isolate for 14 days) subject to the following:
Direct Transit in a private vehicle (which includes a taxi) where:
- The private vehicle does not stop at all in the Group A country or region; or
- The private vehicle only stops in the Group A country or region and
- No new people get into the vehicle
- No one gets out, comes within 2 metres of any other person (other than those they are travelling with) and gets back in again
These restrictions should allow travellers to transit through Group A countries or regions and fill up with petrol (where you pay at the petrol pump rather than in a shop or kiosk) or use public conveniences etc (subject to the 2 metre social distancing requirement).
The CCA noted that the actions of other passengers also using public transport could influence the self-isolation outcomes for travellers. It is acknowledged that the definition of direct transit for those using public transport was likely to render many options unsuitable as the majority could potentially stop in a Group A country or region and would require travellers to self-isolate for 14 days. This had to be balanced with the aim of trying to achieve clear messaging for inbound travellers in order that their travel history could be recorded, tracked and enforced by those responsible for carrying out checks and enforcement.
Direct transit on public transport - coach, train or bus - where:
- The public transport that does not stop AT ALL in the category A country or region.
Travellers will be required to self-declare the countries or regions they have travelled to (or through) for the 7 days prior to their travel. Information has been provided online to help passengers determine regions using a detailed map of UK towns.
