British, Irish and third-country nationals with residence rights (including long-term visa holders) arriving from India will be required to self-isolate in a Government-approved hotel quarantine facility for 10 days, according to a new ruling from the UK government on April 19.
The move follows new data showing an increased risk of importation of new variant.
The situation in India has deteriorated with an extremely rapid rise in cases detected throughout April, which is accelerating. Over the last week, local rates have almost doubled, increasing to 111 cases detected per 100,000 per week - higher than any other point in the outbreak. Despite the current travel measures, there is a high volume of travel between India and the UK, and there have already been 103 cases of the Variant under Investigation (VUI) in the UK.
From 4am on Friday 23 April, international visitors who have departed from or transited through India in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England. Only British and Irish citizens, or those with residence rights in the UK (including long-term visa holders), will be allowed to enter and they must stay in a Government-approved quarantine facility for 10 days. They will also be required to arrive into a designated port. Direct flights from India will continue to be permitted, but passengers are advised to check their travel plans before departing for England.
During their managed quarantine stay, passengers will be required to take a coronavirus test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8, and they will not be allowed to shorten their quarantine period on receipt of a negative test result or through the Test to Release scheme.
British nationals currently in countries on the red list are advised to make use of the commercial options available if they wish to return to England. Commercial routes that will enable British and Irish nationals and residents to return to England continue to operate.