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Here is the UK quarantine form that you need to fill in from tomorrow

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From tomorrow, all arrivals into the UK must complete a 14-day quarantine.  We thought you might be interested to see the form that all that incoming travellers, including UK residents, must complete.

If you are travelling to the UK you must now complete the ‘public health passenger locator form’ in order to comply with the 14 day quarantine regulations. You may face a £100 fine or be refused entry if you do not.

The Government website makes it clear that you should complete the form before you travel but, oddly, no earlier than 48 hours before your travel.  Each adult must complete their own form.

The form and government guidance went live on Friday in order to allow passengers arriving from tomorrow to complete the required paperwork. You can see the form on this page of the GOV.UK site here.

You’ll need the following details to complete the public health passenger locator form:

  • passport
  • name of the airline, train or ferry company
  • tour company (if travelling with a tour group)
  • booking reference
  • arrival airport, station or port
  • arrival date
  • flight, train or bus number
  • quarantining address
  • emergency contact

Failure to isolate for the full 14 days could result in a £1000 fine.  If you are fined multiple times, the fines will increase each time to a maximum of £3200.

Only a small percentage of people will be checked, and the checks will be carried out by ringing your mobile phone – not in person – to ask where you are.  On this basis, it seems very unlikely that many fines will be issued.

uk quarantine form to complete

Everyone who is arriving from outside Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man must complete the form.  In theory there is no sneaky way to enter the country via Ireland and avoid completing the form and quarantining as was speculated in some quarters.  However, as entrants from Ireland do not pass through Border Control, it is unclear how this is enforced.

“You will also need to complete a public health passenger locator form if you are travelling from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and have been outside the Common Travel Area in the last 14 days.”

The guidance suggests going straight the place where you will self-isolate, although it does allow people who have had a long journey to break it up by stopping in safe accommodation. In such circumstances you must also provide the intermediary address when completing the form.

A lot of people are exempted from the mandatory isolation period. Diplomats, defence personnel and variety of key workers for the rail, air, ferry and agricultural industry do not have to do so. You can see the list of exempted individuals here.

You will note that there is one exception for:

“Workers with specialist technical skills for essential or emergency works or services (including commissioning, maintenance, and repairs and safety checks) to ensure the continued production, supply, movement, manufacture, storage or preservation of goods”

….. which seems to have substantial scope.

There is also an exemption for people who live in one country and work in another, and commute between the two at least once a week.

Weirdly, according to 9(a) of the Statutory Instrument, you are permitted to leave the UK even if you have not completed the 14-day isolation period. At that point you are someone else’s problem!

9. During the period of their self-isolation, P may not leave or be outside of, the place where P is self-isolating except—

(a) to travel in order to leave England, provided that they do so directly

The Statutory Instrument is the legal framework which will be used to enforce the rules, whilst the government guidance on GOV.UK is simply the customer-friendly version. If you have some spare time to kill and enjoy the prospect of reading a legal document you can do so here.

Comments (158)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Marcelo says:

    And what happens if I’m driving to the UK?

  • RWJ says:

    This is – I think – a purely political gesture, to make it appear as if they are “doing something”. Scientists on SAGE have said that quarantining international arrivals is of very limited benefit, so I’m not worried about the scheme being ineffective. I might be concerned that they wasted time on this rather than more sensible measures but apart from not slackening restrictions I’m unsure what else they could do!

    • Andrew says:

      Agreed. For most people it will be enough of a deterrent so travel will be very limited anyway. The vast majority won’t be looking for loopholes in enforcement but will just choose not to book travel to avoid even needing to deal with it. It’s a bit like the giant cardboard police officer in the shop window – has no enforcement potential but might make you think.

      • ChrisBCN says:

        Love the analogy. And I think you are right. ‘We said we would do something so we are’, most of the population feel safer, rest of us sit back and get a good laugh at the home secretary and HMG.

        And you can get away with everything if you are ‘following the science’…

  • Rupert says:

    section 9(a) says an exemption for the completion of the form is onward travel from England, not the U.K. So living in Wales I guess I don’t need to complete the form. Cardiff is less than 2 hours by train from Paddington, Something to think about!

    • Mr(s) Entitled says:

      Moving to Wales seems a bit extreme for a scheme they cannot enforce.

      • Rupert says:

        Who said anything about moving to Wales? Have a quick look at Cardiff Castle and then back on the Train to England/your home.

        • Mr(s) Entitled says:

          Has Dominic not made all Castle’s exempt to appease Mary anyway?

          • J says:

            In the last amendment to Statutory Instruments 350/500 i.e. when they introduced the 6 person outside gathering, they went to great lengths to redefine childcare!

  • Mr(s) Entitled says:

    The ineptitude is beyond parody.

  • Anna says:

    It’s farcical. Quarantine if you’ve been in a plane for 2 hours, but not if you’ve been in close proximity to another 5000 people at a demonstration for hours on end.

    • Andrew says:

      Well they shouldn’t be doing that either, but again no powers to stop them.

      • Anna says:

        There are, as they are breaching the requirement not to gather in groups of more than 6 and also to remain 2 metres apart, but both government and police are terrified of upsetting the demonstrators.

        • Mr(s) Entitled says:

          Government routinely ducks difficult decisions. It is the exact opposite of Leadership.

        • Andrew says:

          Yes sorry that was kind of my point – I meant to say no enforcement rather than no powers.

        • Boi says:

          Well, I don’t think anyone wants to demonstrate- forced to do it. It’s sad people had to risk their own lives to make their voices heard. Black lives matter.
          ( and I won’t say more if I get attacked here- I realise some people priorities is freedom to travel and everything else is trivial, such a sad situation of the world we live in….. and most wont understand coz they will NEVER be in that situation).

          • mradey says:

            “Forced” – in which alternative universe? ROFL

          • Boi says:

            Mrardey ofcourse I didn’t expect you to understand- that was a figure of speech and you decided to twist it to suit your needs.
            Nobody should be demonstrating…

            Above all- so many things shouldn’t be happening in this world but they do!

            1. As a Dr I have had patients telling me they don’t want me to touch them coz I am black.
            2. I have had my 9 year old daughter tell me another child said they don’t want to sit next to them coz of their skin colour.
            3. My 12 year old daughter has had their English teacher say the N word- it wasn’t directed to her but she was the only person with African heritage in the class so she got upset. She went to bathrooms and cried. Some of you might remember I came back early from my trip in March coz she was admitted in hospital- she had taken an overdose, she could have died! She only told me about that incident last week. She has been thriving since lockdown and enjoys distance learning. How many kids have found lockdown better? This is a child who is bright at school ( when she was in yr 5 her teachers told us she’s doing yr 6 stuff and better than the yr 6s, so am not biased) so I know it’s deeper issues she has faced in high school, despite that her school performance is still rated outstanding. My kids are mixed but still black coz of me and they have suffered because of it.
            I could go on with examples…..
            Even typing this my eyes fill with tears and my heart hurts. So yes, I understand why people will breakdown lockdown rules and demonstrate.

            Sorry for the rant Rob and all the wonderful hfp community. I know some you understand but some people don’t get it and will come up with all sorts of excuses and blame the victims.

          • Rhys says:

            No need to apologise, thank you for your comment.

          • Lee says:

            As a Korean lives in UK, I do face racism myself and agree the voice should be heard. However, I still can’t see it’s right time to do so in a pandemic.
            What you are going to change is people’s mind not law, law has already there to protect equality. I can’t see it’s going to help.
            Everyone’s live matters, not just one colour.

          • Rhys says:

            1. Nobody is saying that only one colour matters
            2. There is never a good time for a protest – they are generally disruptive

          • BJ says:

            You know very well that by “forced” Boi means ‘compelled by their own conscience’ so I don’t see anything funny about that given both cause and the potential consequences of the protest. However, I don’t agree either, I think under the circumstances people should have exercised restraint and found a safer way to voice their support, anger, frustration etc at this time.

          • Rhys says:

            Very one-sided perspective given the number of people congregating on beaches recently or even those celebrating VE Day. Let’s not pretend that the protests are the first or only time this is happening.

          • Anna says:

            Boi, it’s heartbreaking that people still don’t realise the sheer dumbness of such behaviour … my husband’s great grandfather was from Barbados, so although as far as people will be able to see we’re a white family, I always remind my son that he has the same African Caribbean DNA as his black cousins so there’s no justification for treating people differently on the basis of race. As you are doctor though, I am genuinely interested to know whether you think the demonstrators are risking taking COVID-19 back home to (possibly vulnerable) parents and grandparents. My own grandpa died in April, we couldn’t visit him in his last days or go to his funeral and I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through that unnecessarily.

          • Lee says:

            But by doing so is risking everyone’s live.

          • Rhys says:

            So does going to the beach or having street parties, or re-opening schools.

          • Anna says:

            Rhys, there are a LOT of people who are staying at home observing the lockdown rules and absolutely raging about Dominic Cummings, the ministers who have protected him, the hordes of people flocking to the beach, the people having secret parties and raves as well as feeling frustrated about the demonstrations. It goes without saying that the rules apply to everyone or they apply to no-one, nobody is pretending otherwise!

          • Rhys says:

            There are also a lot of people who appear to have a very one-sided perspective (not necessarily here, but in general)

          • Lee says:

            Rhys, great respect the work you’ve done for HfP but can’t agree with you about this. I said it may not be a good time to do huge gathering to protest doesn’t mean I agree with those people flow to beach. They are even worse.

          • BJ says:

            @Rhys, those circumstances are no different though. Lot’s of complaints about visits to the beach, beauty spots etc. Evidence seems to suggest that vast majority of people are doing their best to respect the rules that have been put in place as best they can. Those that don’t are probably the hard core that like ignoring authority merely for the sake of it and those that think nothing will ever happen to them. Doesn’t matter whether it’s a protest, a trip to the beach or a rave in the woods, I think most people recognise that they should not be taking place right now and don’t want them to do so.

          • ankomonkey says:

            @Boi, I’m genuinely sorry for the things you’ve reported. We’re all human – regardless of ‘differences’. We should all be treated as equals. I hope you and your daughter can be strong enough to overcome the ignorant.

          • Bagoly says:

            Boi,
            1&2: I thought such incidents stopped decades ago in the UK, so thank you for posting to correct my understanding.
            Such offenders are idiots and need to change their mindset.
            I encourage you to report them for such actions.
            I would suggest that any doctors so insulted should immediately end the consultation and put the patient to the bottom of the waiting list – if management is not supportive, then protest.
            There is a continuum between those small incidents and big ones such as American police murders – the small ones matter too.

            3: I do wonder whether there would be some benefit from copying the way that as Europeans in HK we just embraced the term gweilo (see the wikipedia entry for the word) and so defanged it.
            It is true that that is easier if one is not suffering exclusion, lower pay, police brutality etc, but that reinforces the thought that it is those latter things that matter and should be changed.

          • J says:

            Any blood is on the hands of those who didn’t force through full systemic change in previous decades, not the protestors.

          • BJ says:

            @Boi, I would be sending you a private email right now but my old account with your address was lost so I cannot do so. I know it doesn’t compensate for all the wrongs but just know that there are people who care and even those who understand. Wish you and your family all the best.

          • Doug M says:

            @Boi – Very sad.
            When the gov deliberately twisted and lied over Cummings they basically told everyone to do what you want. Politics aside, this government is devoid of leadership and any judgement, strategy, integrity or honesty. It was elected because it wasn’t Corbyn, and now it has no experience, talent or capability other than spouting further lies and Brexit nonsense.

          • Anna says:

            Boi – in answer to your question, my teenager is also finding things much easier in lockdown. He has ASD and dyspraxia so being at home means that he doesn’t have to feel embarrassed about being clumsy in PE and or anxious about being among large numbers of noisy people (he has distressing auditory sensitivity). He has a group of friends who are also not neuro-typical and they play online games together in the evenings and all sound really happy! I do worry that he’s becoming isolated, but certainly on a day to day basis he is much happier.

          • Harry T says:

            @Boi
            I am so sorry to hear about the way you and your daughter have been treated. It is important to hear these stories. As a fellow doctor, can I please state that I think a patient treating you in the manner you described is intolerable and I would never stand for a colleague being treated in such a way.

            When I worked in Australia I met a lot of racism, but I’m pleased to say I never saw it amongst my colleagues (many of whom were BAME). I do think that perhaps education plays a role, and part of cleansing the spectre of racism from our country is ensuring that stories like yours are heard, and people are educated on the perspective and history of BAME peoples.

            Anyway, sorry if any of that came across as unhelpful or ignorant.

          • BJ says:

            Comments from Boi, Anna, and Lee today are a timely reminder of the need to try to be kind to others, not just because of racism but for many other reasons too. Comments here, like any other sorts of interaction, may mask a whole host of hidden hurts and challenges. Most here seem to be educated so let’s make a better effort to avoid insensitive comments and not add to peoples pains.

          • the_real_a says:

            Ryhs – There is a very big difference between going to the beach or walking in a park where 2m distancing is quite easy Vs the prolonged congregation for the full day in close proximity to others. Also, presumably the protestors and rioters got to central via public transport which we know is a high risk for transmission. Most people attending a beach would arrive and depart in isolation by private car.

          • J says:

            @the_real_a – There’s another fairly significant difference. If you can’t work it out, then I can recommend a few books to get you started. Spoiler alert: The protests are justified no matter the circumstances.

          • the_real_a says:

            J – “If you have a slightly different opinion to the mob then you must lack education”. You have absolutely no idea who you are talking to. Nor how they have been effected by experiences relevant to current events and how those experiences might shape their opinion of solutions.

          • Anna says:

            J – but that’s not your decision to make, unless you’re a high court judge. You can’t demand to be treated equally under the law, and then claim you should be exempt from it.

          • J says:

            @the_real_a – Your are absolutely right, I don’t. Please enlighten me as to why civil rights protesters should be compared to sunbathers.

            @Anna – I wouldn’t say the treatment should be different (I’m sure all protesters would proudly take a fine), but legally the enforcement should be the same as those breaking rules to socialise/holiday/exercise (i.e. in most cases nothing, at most a warning – and at worst a £50 (£100) if you refuse a request to disperse). Also, from when I’ve previously read the relevant Statutory Instruments (350 & 500) and amendments, there has been no mention of 2m or social distancing (only permitted reason to leave the house and maximum sizes of gatherings) – so I don’t believe that is relevant to the legal argument.

            Ethically I can’t see any comparison myself.

          • Boi says:

            Thanks guys for all the comments and support. Really appreciated, I know not all people are racists.

            I would like to say my first 2 cases were handled very well by my colleagues/school. As I said my other daughter only started opening up in lockdown and told us of all her problems at school so we havent told them.

            @Anna I am glad to hear your son is doing better and share your concerns about him potentially being isolated. With regards to your question about the risks of infection, I recognise there is a risk, at same time it is one of those “catch 22 moments” because as I said, I know why people maybe compelled to do it. What other ways can they use? Protests are just that- as Rhys has said it. He nailed it.

            @BJ stop treating your emails like Amex cards and churning them. lol. It will be great to reconnect and perhaps you can help with my withdrawal symptoms of MS/travel etc.

            I still live in hope that one day things will be different.

  • Patrick says:

    The quarantine shoukd work the other way around. Anyone from the UK should be put in quarantine anywhere they go…

    This is about as useless as it gets… (and the death of uk tourism…

    • Andrew says:

      That is the case for a lot of countries. There is far from free movement of us out of the U.K. at the moment.

    • mvcvz says:

      Short term coma rather than death methinks. There is no question that the requirement this so-called quarantine (which it obviously isn’t) will be removed by 01 July or possibly earlier.

  • Louise says:

    I live in Germany and would love to come back to see family. If I decide to risk it I’d be living with my daughter who would be coming in and out to work as she’s a key worker and potentially spreading it that way. I won’t be doing anytime soon because the inept response that includes this shambolic policy makes the risk of getting the virus a consideration. It’s not people bringing it in that’s the issue it’s the whole catalogue of disasters that is HMG.

    • Matt says:

      Living with your daughter is not self isolating!

      • Anna says:

        But that’s one of the ludicrous things about this – if the people you live with haven’t been travelling, they don’t need to quarantine!

  • BJ says:

    Taking Back Control is going to be so much fun 😀

    • Anna says:

      Dunno, they’re certainly making it less and less attractive for anyone thinking of coming here!

    • Harry T says:

      @BJ
      Don’t you know we already took back control? Though apparently that control doesn’t extend to coronaviruses…

      • BJ says:

        In theory @Harry, I thought the Covid-19 response might be an early indication of how it is going to look in practice.

        • Harry T says:

          @BJ perhaps a slight silver lining of the pandemic situation is that more of the general public will realise the current government are not fit to lead, and shouldn’t be in “control”.

          I’m sure this situation will be leveraged by Cummings and co to force through a hard Brexit.

          • BJ says:

            6 months from now hard Brexit looming, and…

            No meaningful arrangements for it on any front
            Our economy in tatters
            WTO rules beckoning
            A 50+ years career democrat set for the White House
            Scotland wants out
            Ireland wants reunited
            Potential China trade deal dependent on visas, 5G etc and HK aquisense
            Potential India trade deal dependent on visas
            Potential Japan trade deal but inferior to current deal
            Potential ME trade deals at expense of our ‘values’

            But don’t worry @Harry T, a deal with Kosovo is ready to go. Happy New Year 2021.

          • J says:

            @Harry T – Remember that for the first 6-12 months or so after the referendum, a hard Brexit was defined as leaving the single market but having a comprehensive free trade deal. A soft Brexit was retaining single market membership, and a ‘No Deal’ Brexit was unthinkable by all. At some point, once reality started to hit, Farage and co managed to redefine the term, so hard Brexit and No Deal were synonymous. In reality the options left are a very Hard Brexit or a No Deal Brexit. .

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