After two new mutant strains were detected in their country itself, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday (local time) that the country must temporarily shut down all transport corridors beginning at 4 a.m. (local time) on Monday, in the wake of a rampant surge in coronavirus cases.
The discovery comes a day after the new Covid-19 virus strain from Brazil was detected in the United Kingdom.
In order to curtail the proliferation of the new variants, the UK is currently under an indefinite national lockdown, with non-essential stores, gyms and other facilities closing, with most people operating from home and schools mostly providing remote instruction.
The only way to get to Britain is to have a negative coronavirus test outcome and a 10-day mandatory quarantine, news broadcaster CNN quoted Johnson as saying.
“This means that if you come to this country, you must have proof of a negative Covid test that you’ve taken in the 72 hours before leaving. And you must have filled in your passenger locator form, and your airline will ask for proof of both before you take off,” the UK Prime Minister said.
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In addition, Johnson claimed that any who refuse to comply with the laws would be fined.
You will still be tested before you arrive and face severe penalties for refusing to comply, and you must also be quarantined for 10 days upon entry, without leave your home for any reason whatsoever.Or take another test on day five and wait for proof of another negative result and we will be stepping up our enforcement, both at the border and in the country,” he said.
The UK Department of Transport reports that since July 2020, international travel corridors have been placed in place for countries where risks of infection with Covid-19 can be mitigated, ANI news agency said.
The new travel regulations, the Department claimed, will be checked on February 15.
