Quarantine Rules For Employees Travelling Abroad

Louise Walker
Legal Director
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As lockdown restrictions start to ease, many people will start travelling internationally again, either because their job requires them to or because they are holidaying abroad. Employers therefore need to know if an employee who has returned from abroad will need to stay at home for two weeks’ quarantine upon their return.

If you’re a resident or visitor travelling to the UK, you must complete a form before you enter the UK providing your journey and contact details. You will need to show a printed copy of the form, or be able to display it on your phone, at the UK Border. You may also need to self-isolate in the place you’re staying for the first 14 days after you arrive, unless you’re travelling from certain countries or territories.

There are different self-isolation rules (and penalties for breaching the same) depending on whether you are travelling to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The quarantine rules for England can be found here. The list of countries and territories from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate can be found here.

The quarantine rules for Scotland can be found here. The list of countries and territories from where you can travel to Scotland and may not have to self-isolate can be found here. There are also “sectoral” exemptions, details of which can be found here.

If you have any queries regarding whether someone has to quarantine upon their return, and how that period might be treated if they do have to, please get in touch and we will be pleased to help.

Topics: Coronavirus