Will100

People who are told to stay indoors because a household member has coronavirus will soon have to self-isolate for as little as seven days after widespread refusal to comply with the current 14-day period.

Separately, City dealmakers, hedge fund managers and company bosses flying into the UK will be exempt from the 14-day quarantine period under plans to “promote global Britain”.

Will100

In The Times today, could this be the start of a gradual recovery in aviation....

KeaneJohn

In other news BA would like to remain profitable.

Nothing confirmed about either move. It’s hoped to reduce self isolation to 7 or 10 days from 14 for people who have been in close contact with someone infected but no firm plans to do so.

Whilst infection levels remain high other countries won’t let us in so it won’t stimulate aviation much, indeed Australia mooting its borders will remain closed until well into 2021. It won’t be until a vaccine comes into place before that will happen.

Raffles

I think putting 'hedge fund managers' here tells you everything you need to know about the state of the UK.

Confus

Indeed. One rule for ‘them’, another for ‘us’. This won’t go down well - not that the government will care. Just wait until one becomes a super-spreader.

Gig103

Will they ask those excluded groups to provide recent COVID-19 test results? If my friend's mother can get a test to fly to Pakistan for a family emergency, a hedge fund manager certainly has the resources!

lhrsfo

If these reports are true, it simply demonstrates how the government if flailing about, almost blind. If you want to open up air travel in a safe way to travellers who have important (normally high value business) reasons to travel, then you introduce a thorough testing regime. Simply require a PCR test on day -1, day of travel and day 5, all of which must be negative for remaining quarantine to be avoided. That will be the thick end of £1000, which is affordable for important business reasons but not worth contemplating for most travel. Don't exempt categories of people who civil servants believe are important as a) civil servants won't have a clue who is important and b) it's bound to cause resentment.

Silver Fox

Once more the government shows the contempt it has for the mood and the people at the moment.

Dieuwer

Clearly, rules are for the little people. Elites can do whatever they like.

bunkunu

"The government has also announced today (3 December 2020) a limited number of exemptions for passengers arriving into England, including for business travellers who meet a set of required criteria.From 4am on Saturday 5 December, individuals undertaking specific business activity which would deliver a significant benefit to the UK economy – including activity that creates or preserves 50+ UK jobs – will no longer need to self-isolate when travelling or returning from non-exempt countries.

Individuals will only be exempt when undertaking the specific business activity and will only be able to meet with others as required by that specific activity. Further information will be available on gov.uk when these exemptions come into force.

Exemptions will also come into force at the same time for domestic and international performing arts professionals, TV production staff, journalists, and recently signed elite sportspersons, ensuring that industries which require specific, high talent individuals who rely on international connections can continue to complete their work." (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/t...-december-2020)

Does anyone know how this will be enforced or carried out? Do you need a letter from the consulate prior to entry?

KARFA

have a look at the these posts
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32860970-post4837.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32862603-post4855.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/32862631-post4856.html

lhrsfo

As I predicted upthread, exemptions based on specific criteria would simply demonstrate that civil servants are clueless as to who needs to travel.