Jun 4, 2020, 5:57 am
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
Mod note on thread engagement:
A reminder that this thread is about the self-isolation requirements for UK arrivals.
It is a help/Information resource for those travelling or returning to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from outside the UK. Let's concentrate on news, questions and answers that are relevant and on-topic and stay away from speculations about the spread of the virus, the performance of politicians and other topics which are more suitable for OMNI.
Please stay within these requirements to avoid issues.
A reminder that this thread is about the self-isolation requirements for UK arrivals.
It is a help/Information resource for those travelling or returning to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from outside the UK. Let's concentrate on news, questions and answers that are relevant and on-topic and stay away from speculations about the spread of the virus, the performance of politicians and other topics which are more suitable for OMNI.
Please stay within these requirements to avoid issues.
LATEST UPDATES
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-t...virus-covid-19
18 March travel to the UK changes
If you will arrive in the UK from abroad after 4am, Friday 18 March, you do not need to:
- take any COVID-19 tests – before you travel or after you arrive
- fill in a UK passenger locator form before you travel
This will apply whether you are vaccinated or not.
You also will not need to quarantine when you arrive, in line with current rules.
Other countries still have COVID-19 entry rules in place. You should check travel advice before you travel.
If you will arrive in England before 4am, 18 March, you must follow the current rules as set out in this guidance.
*****
The following historical information is retained for the time being.
The Passenger Locator Form for passengers arriving into the UK can be found here:
https://visas-immigration.service.go...r-locator-form
This can only be completed once you are within 48 hours of arrival in the UK.
Exemption list from quarantine requirements - specific details:
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...k-border-rules
England
Statutory instrument for individual passengers arriving in to England: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/582/contents (this html version is updated, but may not have the very latest updates for Statutory Instruments released in the last few days)
Test to release for England only from 15 December, see post 4776 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32841066-post4776.html
Statutory instrument for transport providers http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2.../contents/made
Scotland
Statutory instrument for individual passengers arriving in to Scotland: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/169/contents (this html version is updated)
Wales
Statutory instrument for individual passengers arriving in to Wales: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2020/574/contents (this html version is updated) &
Welsh language version: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2...0200574_we.pdf
Northern Ireland
Statutory instrument https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2021/99/contents (this html version is updated)
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR QUICK RELEASE FROM SELF-ISOLATION (based on November 28th updates)
[This section has been moved lower down in the wiki post following the change in self-isolation rule on 7th January 2022[
Any PCR test noted as a UK Government Day 2 test will be accepted for release from self isolation as soon as you get the negative result. If it is any other PCR test (eg "Fit to Fly") and not advertised specifically as a Day 2 test then it won't be valid.
This means that you can:[list]
- Book a suitable Day 2 PCR test before you travel and use the booking reference for the test on the PLF (Passenger Locator Form).
- On your day of arrival go to your scheduled test.
- Proceed to you place of self-isolation and await the result, which will hopefully be same / next day.
Alternatively:- Book any Day 2 PCR test before you travel even if you do not intend to use this test, and use the booking reference for the test on the PLF to ensure entry to the UK.
- Note that you are not strictly required to have a PCR booking before arrival, but your carrier might not know that so you run the risk of being denied boarding
- On your day of arrival (or before end of Day 2) go to a walk-in test centre and take a different test to the one you booked.
- Proceed to you place of self-isolation and await the result, which will hopefully be same / next day.
If you are leaving the UK before the end of day 2 then you do not need to take a test, but are required to self-isolate for the duration of your trip (since you do not have a negative result). Also, if you are self-isolating while waiting for a result (and hence have not been informed of a positive result and need to isolate) you may travel to leave the country.
If you take a test and it is positive for any variant of COVID you will be required to isolate for 10 days from the date of the test.
Whether you take a test or not you may be contacted by the UK Test and Trace system at any time if it becomes apparent that you have been in contact with another case. This is very unlikely to happen before day 3 if it is in relation to your flight to UK. Depending on the suspected / identified variant for that case and if you are fully-vaccinated by an accepted programme (see below for links to what this means and valid exemptions) :- Omnicron or not fully-vaccinated: You will be required to isolated for 10 days, including a bar on travel to leave the country. A negative Day 2 test does not release you from this requirement.
- Other and fully vaccinated : You will not be required to isolate.
- Book any Day 2 PCR test before you travel even if you do not intend to use this test, and use the booking reference for the test on the PLF to ensure entry to the UK.
- Proceed to you place of self-isolation and await the result, which will hopefully be same / next day.
- On your day of arrival go to your scheduled test.
Test Providers for Day 2/8 tests & Day 5 Test to release
This section is for FTers to post their experience with specific providers (good or bad). Keep it brief and to the point. Please mention how the service is provided and your FT name.
DNA Workplace - Postal - Test kits arrived with me on time. Royal Mail slow for return. 5+ days for Day 2 result. #DaveS
DNA Workplace - Postal - Test kits both arrived on time, video of tests required, results by late evening Day 3 and Day 9. #TSE
ExpressTest Gatwick - Drive through - Tested early at 1000 a few times for TTR. Results came through in evening. #DaveS
NowTest - Postal - Day 2 kit arrived on time, day 8 did not. Will update with result arrival times when applicable. #wilsnunn
Collinson - Postal - Day 5 Test to Release kit arrived in time. Results and release by end of day 6. #tjcxx
CTM - Postal - Days 2/8 kits arrived together in time. Both sent results 2 days after posting. #tjcxx
Qured (Oncologica) - Postal -Day 2/8 kits arrived late. Results 3+ days from posting. #Gagravarr
Qured (Oncologica) - Postal - Day 2/8 kits arrived on time. Day 2 result on Day 5 and Day 8 result on Day 10 - happy customer! #EddLegll
Qured (Ocnologica) - Postal - Day 2/8 kits arrived on time. Day 2 result on Day 5 (after bedtime; ironically after my TTR result). #KSVVZ2015
Anglia DNA - Postal - Day 2/8 kits arrived early. (Both were labelled Day2). Results on Day 4 and Day 9. Cheapest on the list at the time, and good service/result. #tjcxx
Qured - Pre-flight test booked and bought through BA. Very efficient service. Highly recommended. #lhrsfo
Randox - Days 2 and 8. Booked two days before return, using BA discount. Kits already arrived on return. Slightly confusing instructions but manageable. Used Randox dropbox and results next day. Good. #lhrsfo
Randox - Day 2 (also used as pre departure test for a London to Milan flight). Used a drop box and results arrived at midnight the next day. #11101
Randox - Day 2 test centre - 2h30 queues outside the test centre in Waterloo. Results of antigen arrived 45 minutes later. #11101
Collinson - Test to Release at LHR T2. Good trip out! Very efficient service and well organised. Used BA discount. Results by end of day. Excellent. #lhrsfo
DAM - Test to Release in Fulham (they have many locations) - the cheapest fast turnaround TTR we have found. They promise 24 hours but in reality me, my wife, and my son (on different days) have received results inside of 12 hours. Very efficient staff as well. Princes outside of Central London as low as 99 GBP. Fulham is 129 GBP. #KSVVZ2015
Boots/Source Bioscience - days 2&8. Both packs sent in the same mail, waiting at the isolation address. Dropped off at postbox at 4pm, result back next day between 4 and 5 pm, very effective. Bought from Boots, Ł160, but same package sold directly bu Source Bioscience is just Ł120. Aaargh! Instructions said nasal and throat swabs, did only nasal and marked accordingly, no issues. #WilcoRoger
Collinsons/Stansted walkin TTR - test taken 1:30 pm, email with results 10:10 pm same day If the BA20OFF doesn't work (didn't work for us) there's another discount on the airport's site #WilcoRoger
Ordered Day-2 kit from Chronomics a week before our return for Ł18.99. Duly dispatched day we were returning to UK, so arrived on day following return. Reasonably simple process to do test and upload -ve result picture. Not sure where +ve result would have led to... #EsherFlyer
Hale Clinic testing centre (near Oxford Circus) - While not the least expensive, appoint schedules are accurate and results returned in promised timeframe. I've used the clinic for Day 2 tests (twice) and antigen test for US (once). I would def utilize again. #ecaarch
Halo at T5 (Sofitel) - Day 2 PCR spit test. Took the test 7pm, results arrived 7am the next day. No queues but a slightly awkward process to follow.
Useful data sources:
New cases per 100k - 7 days: https://covid19.who.int/table
New tests per 1000 - 7 days: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-testing
Vaccination doses per 100: https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations
Sequenced samples uploaded to GISAID: https://www.gisaid.org/index.php?id=208
NHS Track & Trace data (positivity rates for arriving passengers are published every three weeks, so if you can't find the data in the current release it will be in one of the previous two) https://www.gov.uk/government/collec...weekly-reports https://assets.publishing.service.go...ut_week_50.ods
UK daily COVID data https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/?_ga...827.1594116739
Risk assessment methodology to inform international travel traffic light system
Data informing international travel traffic-light risk assessments
Testing Terminology
Notes which may assist with understanding which tests to use and with "reuse" of UK tests for other countries regulations:
- LFT: Lateral Flow Test - A rapid antigen test using nasal / throat swab typically performed by the traveler at home, hotel, etc using simple disposable device. Usually tests the "outer shell" of the nucleus (which causes the symptoms and is reasonably stable across variants) and not the "spikes" (which allow new variants to invade more easily), so gives a positive result for many variants. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-...d_antigen_test)
- PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction - A laboratory based test which looks at the nucleus of the virus to determine which specific variant it is. After a positive LFT test ("I have some form of COVID") a PCR test ("You have the Gamma variant") allows identification and tracking of new variants to see if they are likely to become a "variant of concern". (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction)
- NAAT: Nucleic Acid Amplification Test - A general class of laboratory based tests which includes PCR, LAMP, etc tests. (See https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019...b/naats.html)
UK arrivals - pre-departure, quarantine and post-arrival [currently no requirements]
Jun 5, 2020, 3:42 am
#931
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,552
Currently France does let non-resident (with exceptions) in. It is planning to do soon 15 June, but details will only be worked out next week. My understanding is that reciprocity will not call for a "recommended" quarantine, but a "voluntary" one and the interior minister stated that you would be denied entry if you don't accept. Hence the potential need for a specific air corridor if France. But let's wait for details.
Whatever the EU says is of little importance as each country seems to be taking its own approach to restrictions. Clearly EU air corridors are against the spirit of EU, unless they are based on health reasons. A covid test within 72 hours might become a new norm.
Whatever the EU says is of little importance as each country seems to be taking its own approach to restrictions. Clearly EU air corridors are against the spirit of EU, unless they are based on health reasons. A covid test within 72 hours might become a new norm.
https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-U...ntine-measures
Jun 5, 2020, 3:44 am
#932
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,655
A couple of things. Firstly for anyone that's gone through the form, can they post (or link to) screenshots of the exemptions screens? Will a company letter be required at the border for example? Having scanned the SI, it's not clear on what evidence is required to support the exemption request. Is anyone clear(er) on this?
Secondly, on the "Dublin Dodge", if you're coming from there, then you don't need to fill in the form which you had to have done before getting on the plane. So how will that work - do they make you fill in a paper copy on landing if you're transitting from outside the CTA through Dublin?
Secondly, on the "Dublin Dodge", if you're coming from there, then you don't need to fill in the form which you had to have done before getting on the plane. So how will that work - do they make you fill in a paper copy on landing if you're transitting from outside the CTA through Dublin?
Jun 5, 2020, 4:11 am
#933
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
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Posts: 8,476
Secondly, on the "Dublin Dodge", if you're coming from there, then you don't need to fill in the form which you had to have done before getting on the plane. So how will that work - do they make you fill in a paper copy on landing if you're transitting from outside the CTA through Dublin?
So if you transit Ireland you'll complete two forms - the Irish one claiming the transit exemption/onward travel to Northern Ireland, and the UK one on which you should declare the countries you've visited.
If you've remained in the CTA throughout then you'll just list that as your exemption criteria.
Jun 5, 2020, 5:17 am
#934
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,766
A couple of things. Firstly for anyone that's gone through the form, can they post (or link to) screenshots of the exemptions screens? Will a company letter be required at the border for example? Having scanned the SI, it's not clear on what evidence is required to support the exemption request. Is anyone clear(er) on this?
Secondly, on the "Dublin Dodge", if you're coming from there, then you don't need to fill in the form which you had to have done before getting on the plane. So how will that work - do they make you fill in a paper copy on landing if you're transitting from outside the CTA through Dublin?
Secondly, on the "Dublin Dodge", if you're coming from there, then you don't need to fill in the form which you had to have done before getting on the plane. So how will that work - do they make you fill in a paper copy on landing if you're transitting from outside the CTA through Dublin?
For Dublin travellers, you need to have completed the form and carry a printed or digital copy of it (e.g. on your phone) upon arrival into (currently) England. This should be completed at 48 hours to departure and no later than the point of arrival. If it is a CTA location (not just Ireland) you need the Form on you at the point of arrival in the UK / England. All this assuming you were outwith the CTA within 14 days prior to arrival. You are allowed to submit two Forms if the information changes after submission. Once submitted you get, via email, the same UK Visas and Immigration reference number (actually it's mixed numbers and letters) that you will see on successfully submitting the form. The email also has a PDF copy of what you submitted, which also has the same Reference ID. You can download this PDF again, but it doesn't stay alive for very long, after a few days it will be removed online, so keep the email(s).
If you stayed in the CTA for 14 days you do not need to fill in the form at all, note however that (a) the UK has access to Ireland's API data (and vice versa) and (b) Northern Ireland health authorities have access (in theory) to Ireland's quarantine form.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Jun 5, 2020 at 5:22 am
Jun 5, 2020, 5:35 am
#935
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
Exemption 35 looks like it might cover quite a few people, and while there are regulations cited they don't look like they cover people, only systems. Also has "for the purposes of their work", not sure if returning from holiday to then go to work would be covered....
Exemption 26 seems interesting to me, has "where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work or otherwise to commence or resume their work" which ought to cover you coming back from a holiday, and "essential services ... to ensure the continued .... goods" looks like it'd sweep up a lot of people.
Not sure what letter you'd want to ask your employer for, for if challenged, if you fell into one of those two apparently broad techy ones?
Exemption 26 seems interesting to me, has "where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work or otherwise to commence or resume their work" which ought to cover you coming back from a holiday, and "essential services ... to ensure the continued .... goods" looks like it'd sweep up a lot of people.
Not sure what letter you'd want to ask your employer for, for if challenged, if you fell into one of those two apparently broad techy ones?
Jun 5, 2020, 6:01 am
#936
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
Jun 5, 2020, 6:21 am
#937
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
Now we know why IAG didn't show up, may be symbolic but I feel a very good move to put pressure, it can't be that the government can get away with anything they want regardless of logic. Any legal experts here? Can IAG have a chance going legal to make HMG have to tone the quarantine down?
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-he...KBN23C14P?il=0
'British Airways parent company considering legal challenge to UK quarantine rules'
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-he...KBN23C14P?il=0
'British Airways parent company considering legal challenge to UK quarantine rules'
Jun 5, 2020, 6:31 am
#938
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,105
Infected people are treated and possibly isolated. Suspected (etc) cases are quarantined.
Jun 5, 2020, 6:37 am
#939
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,552
From Scotgov's press conference just a few min ago:
The first minister says regulations on how to enforce a 14-day quarantine for arrivals into the country will be published "over the weekend into Monday".
The approach must fit with Scotland's criminal justice system, without "putting undue pressure on police", she adds, in response to a question from BBC Scotland.
Chief Constable Iain Livingston says it is a "challenging issue", explaining that he thinks it will be public health-led with police taking "a backstop role"
The approach must fit with Scotland's criminal justice system, without "putting undue pressure on police", she adds, in response to a question from BBC Scotland.
Chief Constable Iain Livingston says it is a "challenging issue", explaining that he thinks it will be public health-led with police taking "a backstop role"
Jun 5, 2020, 6:46 am
#940
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
Exemption 35 looks like it might cover quite a few people, and while there are regulations cited they don't look like they cover people, only systems. Also has "for the purposes of their work", not sure if returning from holiday to then go to work would be covered....
Exemption 26 seems interesting to me, has "where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work or otherwise to commence or resume their work" which ought to cover you coming back from a holiday, and "essential services ... to ensure the continued .... goods" looks like it'd sweep up a lot of people.
Not sure what letter you'd want to ask your employer for, for if challenged, if you fell into one of those two apparently broad techy ones?
Exemption 26 seems interesting to me, has "where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work or otherwise to commence or resume their work" which ought to cover you coming back from a holiday, and "essential services ... to ensure the continued .... goods" looks like it'd sweep up a lot of people.
Not sure what letter you'd want to ask your employer for, for if challenged, if you fell into one of those two apparently broad techy ones?
Originally Posted by UK government SI
26. A worker with specialist technical skills, where those specialist technical skills are required
for essential or emergency works or services (including commissioning, maintenance, and repairs
and safety checks) to ensure the continued production, supply, movement, manufacture, storage or
preservation of goods, where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their
work or otherwise to commence or resume their work.
for essential or emergency works or services (including commissioning, maintenance, and repairs
and safety checks) to ensure the continued production, supply, movement, manufacture, storage or
preservation of goods, where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their
work or otherwise to commence or resume their work.
Originally Posted by UK government SI
35.—(1) A person who has travelled to the United Kingdom for the purposes of their work in
essential infrastructure industries including—
(a) a person involved in essential maintenance and repair of data infrastructure required to
reduce and resolve outages, or in the provision of goods and services to support these
activities, and
(b) an information technology or telecommunications professional (including information
technology consultant, quality analyst, software tester, systems tester, and
telecommunications planner), whose expertise is required to—
(i) provide an essential or emergency response to threats and incidents relating to the
security of any network and information system, and
(ii) ensure the continued operation of any network and information system.
(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), “network and information” system has the meaning in
regulation 1(2) of the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018(b).
essential infrastructure industries including—
(a) a person involved in essential maintenance and repair of data infrastructure required to
reduce and resolve outages, or in the provision of goods and services to support these
activities, and
(b) an information technology or telecommunications professional (including information
technology consultant, quality analyst, software tester, systems tester, and
telecommunications planner), whose expertise is required to—
(i) provide an essential or emergency response to threats and incidents relating to the
security of any network and information system, and
(ii) ensure the continued operation of any network and information system.
(2) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1), “network and information” system has the meaning in
regulation 1(2) of the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018(b).
Jun 5, 2020, 7:00 am
#941
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,655
These are the two sections.
Very early in the process, when those who were being asked to work was more tightly controlled, the government designated many companies as "essential". Later on, when capacity was below current levels, employees of those companies also got priority on testing - their companies were given an access code to ring up with. @corporate-wage-slave may have a better idea, but I would imagine that if you're employed by one of those companies you're considered an essential worker. The key phrase here, at least in my case and probably many others, is "continued production, supply, movement, manufacture, storage or preservation of goods". That is indeed reasonably wide ranging.
Very early in the process, when those who were being asked to work was more tightly controlled, the government designated many companies as "essential". Later on, when capacity was below current levels, employees of those companies also got priority on testing - their companies were given an access code to ring up with. @corporate-wage-slave may have a better idea, but I would imagine that if you're employed by one of those companies you're considered an essential worker. The key phrase here, at least in my case and probably many others, is "continued production, supply, movement, manufacture, storage or preservation of goods". That is indeed reasonably wide ranging.
Originally Posted by NWIFlyer
Sub-section (2) of this, where it defines particular regulations, seems to me to be much more restrictive.
“network and information system” (“NIS”) means—
(a) an electronic communications network within the meaning of section 32(1) of the Communications Act 2003(10);
(b) any device or group of interconnected or related devices, one or more of which, pursuant to a program, perform automatic processing of digital data; or
(c) digital data stored, processed, retrieved or transmitted by elements covered under paragraph (a) or (b) for the purposes of their operation, use, protection and maintenance;
(a) an electronic communications network within the meaning of section 32(1) of the Communications Act 2003(10);
(b) any device or group of interconnected or related devices, one or more of which, pursuant to a program, perform automatic processing of digital data; or
(c) digital data stored, processed, retrieved or transmitted by elements covered under paragraph (a) or (b) for the purposes of their operation, use, protection and maintenance;
Jun 5, 2020, 7:34 am
#942
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
FCO just replied to my quarantine email saying that the Department for Health are responsible for quarantine and not them, so no need to email FCO.
Ireland PM speaking as we speak, he says plans for tourism sector to return 29 June, so that must mean no quarantine upon arrival in Ireland. This will make the UK quarantine more complicated, what stops you going to NI from Ireland and then and flying from NI to London, as that will be a domestic flight!
Ireland PM speaking as we speak, he says plans for tourism sector to return 29 June, so that must mean no quarantine upon arrival in Ireland. This will make the UK quarantine more complicated, what stops you going to NI from Ireland and then and flying from NI to London, as that will be a domestic flight!
Last edited by ahmetdouas; Jun 5, 2020 at 7:41 am
Jun 5, 2020, 7:42 am
#943
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,085
FCO just replied to my quarantine email saying that the Department for Health are responsible for quarantine and not them, so no need to email FCO.
Ireland PM speaking as we speak, he says plans for tourism sector to return 29 June, so that must mean no quarantine upon arrival in Ireland. This will make the UK quarantine more complicated, what stops you going to NI then and flying from NI to London, as that will be a domestic flight!
Ireland PM speaking as we speak, he says plans for tourism sector to return 29 June, so that must mean no quarantine upon arrival in Ireland. This will make the UK quarantine more complicated, what stops you going to NI then and flying from NI to London, as that will be a domestic flight!
Jun 5, 2020, 7:43 am
#944
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
My question is are there border controls between Ireland and NI? Because if you get to Dublin, then head to Belfast and then you fly from Belfast to LHR, do you have to fill out a form on a domestic flight? I know that sounds like a crazy hassle, but I wanted to point out the fact that Ireland's removal of quarantine from end of June as it seems would likely undermine the UK position.
Jun 5, 2020, 8:09 am
#945
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,766
I have no particular insight as to what is the best thing to do, but I am certainly tempted to put in the relevant box "Schedule 2 clause 26 worker" or whatever. The Border Force could then check that, if they have the time or inclination (their main issue will be if someone has a Locator Form or not), PHE should not be involved due to the declared exemtion, and only if somehow the police were involved would any deeper enquiries be made, but if someone still more-or-less self isolated and wasn't found tombstoning off Durdle Door then I very much doubt it would go any further. Scottish Police - the best resourced UK force, and fairly active in maintaining the lockdown - clearly don't relish this process. I can't imagine the Met will want anything to do with this unless someone was very rude to a PHE agent.
And "essential" or "key workers" were listed as eligible for schools for their children too. However I wouldn't confuse the two issues. The quote you highlighted said that the worker's task was essential (etc), not that the end product is essential. So an auditor for a pornography company could argue that their work was essential to comply with legal / fiscal requirements, and thus facilitiate the production of, um, goods. I'm not recommending this approach, by the way.
If you go through the other exemptions, when cross referenced you will find many other examples - what starts as a formalised set of words can be easily pulled apart (someone fixing their mum's dodgy wifi router?). Whereas for some of the medical exemptions, very specific professional registration is needed. This sort of thing happens when you are in a bit of a rush.
I also agree that if Ireland ends quarantine it will make this exercise even less credible.
Very early in the process, when those who were being asked to work was more tightly controlled, the government designated many companies as "essential". Later on, when capacity was below current levels, employees of those companies also got priority on testing - their companies were given an access code to ring up with. @corporate-wage-slave may have a better idea, but I would imagine that if you're employed by one of those companies you're considered an essential worker.
I also agree that if Ireland ends quarantine it will make this exercise even less credible.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Jun 5, 2020 at 8:14 am