Luxembourg follows Spain onto England’s coronavirus travel quarantine list
The government said it would take ‘decisive action if necessary to contain the virus’. (Image: PA)
2 min read
People arriving in England from Luxembourg now have to enter self-isolation for 14 days as the Government added the European state to its quarantine list.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said an increase in Covid-19 cases meant the country would now be removed from the UK’s travel exemptions list — joining Spain which saw restrictions imposed at the weekend.
The move comes after Boris Johnson warned the public Britain is "not out of the woods" as he pointed to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases across the globe.
It brings England into line with Scotland, which imposed fresh curbs on Luxembourg earlier on Thursday.
Updated Foreign Office guidance now advises British nationals “against all but essential international travel” to Luxembourg, “based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks”.
“If you are returning from Luxembourg you will be required to self-isolate on your return to the UK, but the FCO is not advising you to cut short your visit,” it adds.
“You should contact your tour operator or airline if you have any questions about your return journey.”
Announcing the changes late on Thursday night, Mr Shapps said: “Unfortunately the latest Luxembourg data shows an increase in Covid-19 cases meaning the country will be removed from the travel exemptions list.
“Anyone arriving to any part of the UK from midnight tonight will therefore need to quarantine.”
Data gathered by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control shows that Luxembourg, which has a relatively small population, has posted just 6,533 cases of coronavirus compared to the UK’s 301,455 since the pandemic began.
However, it has logged a fresh uptick in cases in recent weeks, with the ECDPC on Thursday putting the cumulative number of cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks at 240 — the worst figure in Europe.
The Department for Transport said: “The Government has made consistently clear it will take decisive action if necessary to contain the virus, including removing countries rapidly if the public health risk of people returning from a particular country and not self-isolating becomes too high.
“The Government is urging employers to be understanding of those returning from Luxembourg who now will need to self-isolate.”
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
