Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions

Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs
that qualify for travel
exemptions
Updated 11 February 2022

Changes to international travel rules
from 11 February 2022
The COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for travel to England will
change from 4am on 11 February. Some exemptions will no longer
apply from this date. People who are no longer eligible for exemptions
should check if they qualify as fully vaccinated and follow the standard
rules for passengers for travel to England.

The full list of jobs where an exemption no longer applies can be found
here.

Contents
   • Red List Countries
   • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
   • Jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
   • Border Security Duties (including UK and non-UK officials and contractors)
   • Defence Personnel, Visiting Forces and Government Contractors
   • Essential government work, operations and state business
   • Members of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts
   • Persons on official business
   • Seasonal and Temporary Horticultural and Food Processing Workers
   • Transiting through the UK (layovers)
   • Transport workers
   • Transporting Human Cells or Blood
   • Jobs that no longer require an exemption

Because of COVID-19 there are rules about what you have to do before you
travel to England and after you arrive. You may wish to check if you qualify as
fully vaccinated for travel to England.
Some people are exempt from some or all COVID-19 travel and entry
requirements because of their job.
This guidance lists the jobs that qualify for an exemption and tells you:
   • what you need to do, or not do
   • any conditions you will need to meet or evidence you will need to show

Red List Countries
No countries are currently on the red list.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules and exemptions.
Read more about:
   • exempt jobs in Northern Ireland
   • exempt jobs in Scotland
   • exempt jobs in Wales

Jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
– England only
If you do one of the following jobs you may qualify for an exemption from one
or more of the COVID-related travel restrictions.

Border Security Duties (including UK
and non-UK officials and contractors)
You do not need to:
   • take a COVID-19 test before you travel to the UK
   • complete the passenger locator form
   • quarantine when you arrive in England

If fully vaccinated
After arrival in England, you do not need to take any COVID-19 tests
If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated
You need to:
   • UK Officials & Contractors take a lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 test
     on arrival or before day 2, if you are in England for longer than 2 days. If
     you are travelling daily, you must take an LFD test at least once every 3
     days.
   • non-UK Officials & Contractors take a COVID-19 test on arrival or before
     day 2.

Border security officials who travel to England in order to operate French
juxtaposed border controls at St. Pancras, Ebbsfleet, Cheriton, Ashford or
Dover are exempt from the testing requirements above.

Evidence
You should use your official photo identification to demonstrate your status.

Applies to:
UK officials and contractors required to work on essential border security
duties, who are:
   • required to undertake essential government work related to the UK
     border in the UK, or
   • undertaking essential government work related to the UK border outside
     of the UK but required to come back to the UK temporarily before
     departing the UK to again undertake essential government work related
     to the border

Non-UK border security officials and contractors required to travel to the UK to
undertake essential border security duties, who are:
   • in possession of a written notice signed by a senior member of your
     government confirming that you’re required to undertake essential
     border security duties in the UK , or your deployment is pursuant to a
     standing bilateral or multilateral agreement with the UK government on
     the operation of the border controls within the UK

Essential government work, operations
and state business
You need to complete the passenger locator form before you travel to the UK

You do not need to quarantine when you arrive in England

If fully vaccinated
You do not need to:
   • take a COVID-19 test before or after arrival in England

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated
Before you travel to England you need to:
   • take a COVID-19 test before you travel to the England, unless a relevant
     department of the UK government has confirmed that you are not
     required to do so.

After arrival in England, you need to:
   • take a COVID-19 test after you arrive in England, unless a relevant
     department of the UK government has confirmed that you are not
     required to do so.
Applies to:
   1) a Crown servant or government contractor who is required to undertake
      essential policing or essential government work whilst in the UK or is
      returning from conducting such work outside of the UK.
   2) a person who is required to undertake essential state business in the UK
      or is returning from conducting such business outside of the UK.
   3) a person returning to the UK where this is necessary to facilitate
      essential government operations and includes, in particular, the
      functioning of a diplomatic mission or consular post of Her Majesty or of
      a military or other official posting on behalf of Her Majesty.
   4) a person who is required to undertake essential or emergency work in
      the UK or is returning from undertaking such work outside of the UK,
      which has been certified by the relevant Department as necessary to
      facilitate essential government work.

Defence personnel, visiting forces and
government contractors
You do not need to:
   • take a COVID-19 test before arrival in England
   • complete a passenger locator form
   • quarantine when you arrive in England

If fully vaccinated
After arrival in England, you do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated
You are not subject to mandatory testing on arrival but, for public health
reasons, you are required to complete a lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19
test on arrival or before day 2, if you are in England for longer than 2 days.
   • If you are travelling daily or every 2 days, you should take a LFD COVID-
     19 test at least once every 3 days.
Evidence
You will need to request a letter from the Ministry of Defence confirming you
are exempt, in accordance with internal Ministry of Defence guidance. You will
need to show this letter to officials at border control on entry to the UK.
Applies to:
Defence personnel, visiting forces and government contractors who the
Ministry of Defence has confirmed are required to deliver essential defence
activities.

Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts
and Heads of State
You and your recognised dependants do not need to complete the passenger
locator form

You do not need to quarantine on arrival to England

If fully vaccinated
You are not required to take any COVID-19 tests before or after arrival in
England

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated

You and your recognised dependants need to take a COVID-19 test before
arrival in England.

You and your recognised dependants do not need to take a COVID–19 test 2
days after your arrival in England, but for public health reasons you are
strongly encouraged to complete COVID-19 tests on arrival or before day 2.

Applies to:
   1) Diplomatic and consular personnel accredited or appointed to
      missions/posts in the UK and their recognised dependants
   2) Diplomatic and consular personnel transiting the UK to commence or
      continue their work in a mission or consular post outside of the UK, or
      returning to the country of their nationality, and their recognised
      dependants
   3) Heads of State and their recognised dependants
   4) Diplomatic or consular couriers

Persons on official business
You need to complete the passenger locator form, unless the FCDO has
confirmed that you meet the relevant description and are not required to do
so.

You do not need to quarantine on arrival to the UK

If fully vaccinated
You do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests before and after arrival in
England

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated
Before you travel to England you need to:
   • Take a COVID-19 test before you arrive in England, unless the FCDO has
      confirmed that you meet the relevant description and are not required
      to do so.

After your arrival in England you need to:

• take a COVID-19 test on arrival or before day 2, unless the FCDO has
     confirmed that you meet the relevant description and are not required
     to do so.

Applies to:
   1) An officer or servant of an international organisation* who is on official
      business
   2) A person employed by an international organisation* as an expert or on
      a mission who is on official business
   3) A representative to an international organisation* who is on official
      business
   4) A member of the official staff of a representative to an international
      organisation* who is on official business
   5) A representative of a foreign country or territory on official business
      with the UK
   6) A representative of the government of a British overseas territory on
      official business with the UK
   7) A representative of a foreign country or territory undertaking work
      relating to essential maintenance and repair of an IT or security system
      of a diplomatic mission or consular post in the UK
   8) A representative of a foreign country or territory undertaking work
      relating to the holding of an election or referendum of a foreign country
      or territory

* An international organisation granted privileges and immunities in the UK,
such as the United Nations (UN), European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) or the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Before you travel, you will need to contact the FCDO. If applicable, the FCDO
will issue you an exemption letter confirming that you are not required to
comply with the relevant regulation.

Seasonal and Temporary Horticultural
and Food Processing Workers
You need to complete the passenger locator form

You do not need to quarantine when you arrive in England

If fully vaccinated
You do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests before and after arrival in
England.
If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated
Before you travel to England you must:
   • take a COVID-19 test before your arrival in England.

After your arrival in England you must:
   • take a lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 test on arrival or before day 2.

Applies to:

Pork butchers with EU settled or pre-settled status
You should provide documentation that verifies your EU settled or pre-settled
status when you arrive at the UK border, and show a letter or email from your
employer confirming you will be employed as a pork butcher.
Pork butchers under the Seasonal Workers Visa Route
You should present your visa at the border if you’re travelling as a pork butcher
under the Seasonal Workers Visa Route and provide contact details and the
address of the farm, processing site or other accommodation where you will
be living on the passenger locator form.
Pork butchers under the Skilled Worker Visa
You should present your visa at the border as usual if you’re travelling as a
pork butcher under the Skilled Workers Visa route and provide contact details
and the address of the farm, processing site, slaughterhouse or other
accommodation where you will be living on the passenger locator form. You
should also show a letter or email from your employer confirming you will be
employed as a pork butcher.

Seasonal agricultural workers with EU settled or pre-settled status
You should provide documentation that verifies your EU settled or pre-settled
status when you arrive at the UK border, and show a letter or email from your
employer confirming you will be employed as a seasonal agricultural worker.
The letter should include:
   •   your name
   •   your date of birth
   •   your employer in the UK
   •   your start date
   •   the address of the farm where you’ll be living
   •   contact details of your employer and/or farm

Seasonal agricultural workers under the Seasonal Workers Visa Route
You should present your visa at the border as usual if you’re travelling as a
seasonal agricultural worker under the Seasonal Workers Visa Route and
provide contact details and the address of the farm where you’ll work and live
on the passenger locator form.
Seasonal horticultural workers with EU settled or pre-settled status
You should provide documentation that verifies your EU settled or pre-settled
status when you arrive at the UK border, and show a letter or email from your
employer confirming you will be employed as a seasonal horticultural worker.
The letter should include:
   •   your name
   •   your date of birth
   •   your employer in the UK
   •   your start date
   •   the address of the farm where you’ll be living
   •   contact details of your employer and/or farm

Seasonal horticultural workers under the Seasonal Workers Visa Route
You should present your visa at the border as usual if you’re travelling as a
seasonal horticultural worker under the Seasonal Workers Visa Route and
provide contact details and the address of the farm or other accommodation
where you will be living on the passenger locator form.

Transiting through the UK (layovers)
Read the guidance on transiting through the UK.

Transport workers
This includes:
Aircraft pilots and crew
Bus and coach drivers
Channel Tunnel system workers
Civil Aviation inspectors
Drivers of goods vehicles
Eurostar International, Eurotunnel and international rail freight workers
Haulier outreach staff
Port workers
Seamen and masters, pilots and inspectors and surveyors of ships

You do not need to:
   • complete a passenger locator form
   • take a COVID-19 test before arrival in England
   • quarantine when you arrive in England

If fully vaccinated
After arrival in England, you do not need to take any COVID-19 tests.

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated
You must:
   • if you are a civil aviation inspector, or a seaman or master working on
     board a fishing vessel, book a COVID-19 test to take on arrival or before
     day 2 in England.
   • if you qualify as any other transport worker under this exemption, take a
     lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 test on arrival or before day 2 if you
     are in England for longer than 2 days. If you are travelling daily, or every
     2 days, you must also take an LFD COVID-19 test every 3 days.

Drivers of goods vehicles who need a COVID-19 test can take a free
coronavirus (COVID-19) test at one of the Department for Transport’s haulier
advice sites.

Aircraft pilots and crew do not need to undertake tests while off-duty under
the Flight and Duty Time Limitations.

Aircraft pilots and crew, Eurostar International, Eurotunnel and international
rail freight workers, and seamen and masters, pilots and inspectors and
surveyors of ships are exempt from testing requirements on the condition
they:
   • travel on an aircraft, conveyance/vehicle, train or vessel that does not
     carry passengers; or travel in a part of the aircraft, conveyance/vehicle,
     train or vessel that is not accessible to passengers, such as a fully
     enclosed cockpit or cabin.
   • And, they do not disembark the aircraft, conveyance/vehicle, train or
     vessel either upon their arrival in England from another country or, if
     travelling from England to a country outside the common travel area and
     returning to England, do not disembark the aircraft, conveyance/vehicle,
     train or vessel while it is abroad.

Evidence
You must provide either:
   • a pass or identification used for the purposes of your work (e.g. a crew-
     badge, a terminal access pass, or a Seafarer’s Identification Document);
     or
   • a letter from the Department for Transport (DfT), an Arm’s Length Body
     or your employer detailing:
     o Your personal details, such as your name and address.
     o Contact details for your employer/the business or organisation you
         will be working for.
     o Detail of what work you’ll be doing.
     o Photo identification (if issued by your employer).

Applies to:

Aircraft pilots and crew, as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Air
Navigation Order 2016 or other people carried to perform duties assigned by
the aircraft operator or pilot in command relating to the safety of passengers
or the aircraft, where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course
of their work or are otherwise required to travel to the United Kingdom for
work purposes. This also covers persons who are carried on the aircraft
carrying out ground-based maintenance of aircraft.

Bus and coach drivers, who are drivers of public service vehicles and other
employees of PSV and community licence holders for the international carriage
of passengers by coach and bus.

Channel Tunnel system workers, undertaking operational, rail maintenance,
security and safety workers work on the Channel Tunnel system.

Civil aviation inspectors engaged on inspection duties.

Drivers of goods vehicles and other employees of community licence holders
for the international carriage of goods.

Drivers and crew of trains operated by Eurostar International Limited and
Eurotunnel Shuttle and freight train drivers. As well as essential cross-border
rail freight workers operating through the Channel Tunnel and essential cross-
border workers working for Eurostar International Limited.

Port Workers with specialist technical skills for essential work at a port to
ensure the operation of ferry routes and haulier outreach staff.

Seamen and masters as defined in section 313(1) Merchant Shipping Act 1995,
maritime pilots as defined in para 22(1) of schedule 3A of the Merchant Shipping
Act 1995 where they have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their
work or been repatriated, and inspectors and surveyors of ships appointed
under section 256 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 or by a government of a
relevant British possession as defined in section 313(1) of that Act where they
have travelled to the United Kingdom in the course of their work.

Transporting human cells or blood
You need to complete the passenger locator form

You do not need to:
   • take any COVID-19 tests before your arrival in England
   • quarantine when you arrive in England

If fully vaccinated
After arrival in England, you do not need to take any COVID-19 tests

If you do not qualify as fully vaccinated

After your arrival in England you must:
   • take a lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 test on arrival or before day 2 if
     you are in England for longer than 2 days.
Evidence
You will need to show:
   • your staff pass or photo identification
   • confirmation from a healthcare provider explaining:
        o the address of where the material was or is to be collected from,
           and the date on which the material was or is to be collected
        o the address of where the material is to be transported to, the
           name of the healthcare provider that is to receive the material,
           and the date on which the material is to be delivered to the
           healthcare provider
        o what material you are or will be carrying
        o why you need to carry it
If you’re transporting a controlled drug, you will need to show a Home Office
import licence.
Applies to:
People who have travelled to the UK for the purpose of transporting material
which consists of, or includes, human cells or blood and which is to be used for
the provision of healthcare by a healthcare provider.

Changes to international travel rules
from 11 February 2022
The COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for travel to England have
changed at 4am, 11 February.

The COVID-19 testing and quarantine rules for travel to England will
change from 4am on 11 February. Some exemptions will no longer
apply from this date. People who are no longer eligible for exemptions
should check if they qualify as fully vaccinated and follow the standard
rules for passengers for travel to England.

The jobs where an exemption no longer applies are:
   •   Aerospace Engineers
   •   BBC broadcasting transmission network and services
   •   Business directors bringing jobs and investment to the UK
   •   Clinical trials or studies
   •   Data infrastructure maintenance
   •   Downstream oil facility workers
   •   Electronic communication networks
   •   Elite sportsperson - domestic
   •   Elite sportsperson - international
   •   Environment Agency relating to flood and coastal erosion risk
       management

•   Film and High-end television production
•   HS2 workers
•   IT and telecoms workers
•   Medicines – human and veterinary
•   Network Rail workers
•   Nuclear emergency responder
•   Nuclear personnel
•   Offshore oil and gas
•   OPCW, IAEA and Euratom inspectors
•   Performing arts professionals
•   Postal workers
•   Quality assurance inspectors for human and veterinary medicines
•   Regular work abroad
•   Specialist technical workers - power infrastructure
•   Specialist technical workers - space infrastructure
•   Specialist technical workers – sub-sea telecommunications infrastructure
•   Specialist technical workers – waste
•   Specialist Technical Workers: Goods and services
•   Specialist technical workers - power infrastructure
•   Water supplies and sewerage services workers