UK extends travel ban without proof of negative COVID test until February 15

The warrant requiring all international travelers arriving in the UK to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival has been extended to at least February 15, officials said.

All travelers arriving in the UK must undergo a coronavirus test 72 hours before arrival. The news comes as more countries tighten travel restrictions as COVID cases continue to rise with a contagious new strain tracing back to England.

UK extends travel ban without evidence of negative COVID tests until February 15 (AP Photo / Max Duncan)
(AP)

“This urgent action responds to growing concerns about the transmissibility and virulence of new strains evolving internationally. It will also ensure that the government is able to protect the progress made in the country’s immunization program,” said the UK Department for Transport in a statement on its website.

“This decision will be supported by enhanced enforcement, both at the border and across the UK, with Border Force increasing the number of spot checks on passengers who have entered the country,” the statement continued.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Travelers will be tested negative for COVID upon arrival in the UK and could face fines of more than $ 600, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said during a press briefing reported by the BBC. Passengers will still need to be quarantined for 10 days.

TRAVELERS RELATED TO THE UK MUST TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 AT THE BORDER

England has also banned people from entering from more than a dozen countries, including several South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, as well as Portugal. and Cape Verde, following a new variant of the virus found in Brazil. Travelers departing from countries listed in the past 10 days will not be able to access the UK, officials said.

AMERICAN AIRLINES LAUNCHES THE FIRST HEALTH PASSPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS PASSING TO THE UNITED STATES

The news comes as major airlines begin testing global health “passports”, allowing international travelers to upload negative COVID-19 tests to an app. American Airlines on Thursday announced its own mobile health passport on its VeriFly app to help support the US government’s new order requiring all travelers traveling to the United States to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.