UK warns that all holidays can be canceled for 2021

UK warns that all holidays can be canceled for 2021

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(CNN) – Booking any kind of escape in the summer became an even bigger gamble for millions of Britons on Wednesday, when the government warned that even vaccines could be under threat until the vaccines are completed.

After authorities previously signaled that a trip abroad may not be possible during 2021, UK transport minister Grant Shapps said that even a break at home may be out of the question.

The news came after the country’s health minister, Matt Hancock, announced that anyone arriving in the UK who lies about visiting a destination on his Covid “red list” could face up to 10 years in prison or a £ 10,000 fine ( $ 13,800).

“Until we know the way out of the blockade, which we can’t know until we have more data, more information about vaccines too, please don’t go ahead and book holidays,” said Shapps during an interview with the BBC on Wednesday. market.

He went on to say that it was too early to draw a clear picture of what restrictions would be in place by summer, advising travelers not to do anything until things are clearer.

The warning will be a disappointment to many UK tourists, who hoped that the rapid launch of the coronavirus vaccine in the country would pave the way for a holiday abroad later in the year.

However, Shapps emphasized that the United Kingdom, which has handled more than 13 million Covid-19 jabs, will have to wait for other destinations to “catch up”.

Tough penalties

As of February 15, residents of the UK and Ireland arriving from countries on the UK’s “red list”, which includes South Africa, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates and much of South America, will have to buy one “quarantine package” for £ 1,750 ($ 2,400) this includes accommodation in a government approved hotel, transportation to accommodation and Covid-19 testing.

All other travelers who visited these countries 10 days before traveling to the United Kingdom, which is currently under a third national blockade, are prohibited from entering

Those who do not meet the quarantine requirements or try to hide the fact that they visited a high-risk country before arriving can receive a 10-year prison sentence or a fine.

“I do not apologize for the force of these measures, because we are dealing with one of the strongest threats to our public health that we face as a nation,” Hancock told lawmakers at the UK House of Parliament.

Passengers arriving from destinations that are not on the “red list” must pass a negative test within 72 hours of their departure.

In addition, they must also isolate themselves for 10 days, as well as take a Covid-19 test on the second and eighth day after their arrival.

However, the “release test scheme”, which allows travelers to leave isolation if they receive a negative test within five quarantine days, is still in effect for those arriving from destinations that are not on the “red list”.

Anyone planning to arrive in the UK from Monday will need to book the new post-arrival tests through an online portal before traveling.

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