Travellers from green and amber list countries ‘may not face Covid checks’
21 July 2021, 06:37
Travellers from green and amber list countries may no longer face such strict Covid checks when arriving into England, it has been reported.
Border and customs officials will no longer routinely verify if returning travellers tested negative before departure or completed a passenger locator form, the Guardian reported.
The change, which reportedly came into effect on Monday, is aimed at reducing queue times at airports.
Under the current rules, all passengers into the UK must provide a negative Covid test taken before departure, regardless of where they are travelling from.
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They must also conduct another test two days after their arrival, and complete a passenger locator form with details such as an address.
Lucy Moreton, professional officer for the Immigration Services Union (ISU), which represents border immigration and customs staff in the UK, said: "Ultimately this is a political decision.
"Certainly, it will reduce queue times significantly and hopefully also the level of verbal abuse to which Border Force staff are subject.
"That is welcome to us. The impact on the UK's Covid security is ultimately a scientific determination."
A Government spokesperson told the paper: "Our utmost priority is protecting the health of the public and our enhanced borders regime is helping reduce the risk of new variants being transmitted.
"All passenger locator forms are still being checked by carriers, as they are legally required to do, and to suggest otherwise is wrong. This legal requirement on carriers is underpinned by a robust compliance regime, which is overseen by regulators.
"Compliance with these rules is essential in order to protect the population from new variants of Covid-19, and so there will be tough fines for those who do not follow the rules."
