The UK has banned all vessels arriving directly from Denmark from docking at UK ports as it extends measures to prevent the potential spread of a variant strain of coronavirus (Covid-19).
In terms of the new measures announced yesterday, exemption for non-UK resident freight drivers has been removed so that those who have travelled from or through Denmark in the last 14 days can no longer enter the UK.
Passenger planes and ships travelling directly from Denmark, and accompanied freight, will no longer be able to land or dock at English ports.
And anyone from the UK who arrived in England after 4am on 6 November after travelling from or through Denmark in the last 14 days – including HGV drivers after previous exemptions were removed - must self-isolate along with their households.
The move follows the release of further information from health authorities in Denmark reporting widespread outbreaks of coronavirus in mink farms, with a variant strain of the virus spreading to some local communities.
Denmark was removed from the UK’s travel corridors list on Friday. Non-British or resident visitors who had come from or through Denmark were banned from arriving in the UK from 4am on Saturday. Anyone who has arrived within the last two weeks now needs to self-isolate along with their households for 14 days.
“Given the significant unknowns regarding the new mutation of Covid-19 originating in Denmark we have moved quickly to protect our citizens and prevent the spread of the virus to the UK,” according to a statement issued by the UK government.
It is working closely with international partners to understand the changes in the virus that has been reported in Denmark.
British nationals and residents who are returning from Denmark will be required to show a complete passenger locator form on arrival in the UK in order to track the virus in case of any local outbreaks.
The travel ban and expanded self-isolation requirements will be reviewed after seven days.
