UK Quarantine Guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic - GAC
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UK Quarantine Guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic
If a person travels to Scotland from a country listed on the Scottish Government travel
corridor list after spending longer than 14 days in that location immediately before
arrival, they do not need to self-isolate but must complete the passenger locator form if
arriving by air.
If a person travels to England from a country listed on the English Government travel
corridor list after spending longer than 14 days in that location immediately before
arrival, they do not need to self-isolate but must complete the passenger locator form if
arriving by air.
If a person travels to Wales from a country listed on the Welsh Government travel
corridor list after spending longer than 14 days in that location immediately before
arrival, they do not need to self-isolate but must complete the passenger locator form if
arriving by air.
If a person travels to Northern Ireland from a country listed on the Northern Irish
Government travel corridor after spending longer than 14 days in that location
immediately before arrival, they do not need to self-isolate but must complete the
passenger locator form if arriving by air.
If a person has been to, or stopped in, a country that is not on the travel corridor list in
the last two weeks they will need to self-isolate until 14 days have passed since they left
that country.
According to the latest Government guidelines you do not need to complete the
passenger locator form when departing a vessel in the UK if you are a recognised
seafarer in ownership of a seaman’s book. However, we have had a few instances
recently when local Border Forces have still requested the forms for offsigning marine
and project crew so it may be recommendable to continue to complete passenger
locator forms for both arrival/departure UK by air in order to avoid any possible
delays/fines.
Border Force has clarified that seafarers arriving into the UK by air MUST still complete
the online passenger form regardless. The statement reads that this is no longer
required but that is referring to those arriving by sea only.
If you have crew travelling to the UK who are not from a country listed on the corridor
list (ie USA, Philippines) then please read the following guidelines regarding seafarer
self-isolation exemptions.
COVID Quarantine Guidance v1.7
Page 1 of 6 Updated: 01/09/2020Who is exempt?
Seafarers from non-travel corridor list countries, based on the exemptions list, are
exempt from having to self-isolate, but must fill in a passenger locator form online no
earlier than 48 hours before arriving into the UK.
Individuals will need to provide journey and contact details in this form. GAC UK is
unable do this on behalf of any crew.
If a person qualifies (per the exemption list) they should not need to self-isolate for 14
days.
Travellers need to have the completed form on them (printed or on phone) to show at
Border Force. If a person works on a ship, including fishermen, they need to show a
Seafarers Identification Document (SID) if they have one.
If they do not have a SID, they can show joining papers, seafarer’s employment
agreement or a seafarer’s discharge book (Continuous Certificate of Discharge) instead.
Alternatively, they could show a basic training certificate or declaration from the
registered owners of the vessel that they are a crew member.
In summary:
• All crew on-signers are required to complete the passenger locator form online
but do not need to self-isolate.
• The form is to be carried on the person to be produced to a Border Force Officer
on request.
• The form is to be submitted within 48hrs of and prior to UK arrival.
• Crew are required to carry Seamans books and we also suggest a letter from
their employer with contact details and stating nature of business.
What if a person is joining the ship but attending as a Superintendent or
part of a mobilisation/demobilisation team?
Unfortunately, unless the person has a relevant seafarer’s identification document, they
would not qualify for exemption from self-isolation if from a non-travel corridor list
nation. However, if you believe the person is critical to the vessel’s needs please contact
your local GAC agency where the port call is occurring, and they can consult Border
Force on your behalf.
If the person is joining the vessel as project crew, please see the section on workers
relating to oil and gas infrastructure.
COVID Quarantine Guidance v1.7
Page 2 of 6 Updated: 01/09/2020Are Inspectors or Surveyor of ships exempt?
Yes, if an inspector or surveyor of ships is appointed under section 256 of the Merchant
Shipping Act 1995 they are exempt. However please check with your local GAC agency
office who can confirm with Border Force.
The person will need to provide journey and contact details and should not need to self-
isolate for 14 days. They should show a Seafarers Identification Document (SID) if they
have one. If they do not have a SID, they can show joining papers, seafarer’s
employment agreement or a seafarer’s discharge book (Continuous Certificate of
Discharge) instead.
In summary:
• Inspectors and Surveyors will be required to complete the passenger locator form
but should not need to self-isolate.
• The form is to be carried on the person to be produced to a Border Force Officer
on request.
• The form is to be submitted within 48hrs of and prior to UK arrival / departure.
• Inspectors/Surveyors are also required to carry Seamans books and we also
suggest a letter from their employer with contact details and stating nature of
business.
• Before booking travel please check with your local GAC Agency office who can
ensure with Border Force that person will be exempt from the need to self-
isolate.
Are workers involved in the continued safe and secure operation,
maintenance and essential support services for offshore oil and gas
infrastructure in the UK exempt?
• Yes, these personnel are exempt. They will need to complete the passenger
locator form but should not need to self-isolate.
• They will need to show a letter from their company at the border which includes:
• personal details, such as name and address
• contact details for employer
• explanation of work to be carried out
If they have employer issued photo identification, they should bring this also.
In summary
• All essential workers that qualify for exemption are required to complete the
online passenger locator form but should not need to self-isolate.
• The form is to be carried on person and produced to a Border Force Officer on
request.
• The form is to be submitted within 48hrs of and prior to UK arrival / departure.
COVID Quarantine Guidance v1.7
Page 3 of 6 Updated: 01/09/2020• Workers are also required to carry letter from employer detailing contract, work
to be undertaken and personal details.
Are persons transiting through the UK i.e. travelling home via the UK from
another location exempt?
Yes, they will be exempt from self-isolation if not passing border control, however if
passing border control (i.e. change of airport in UK or overnight hotel stay before
onward flight) please liaise with your local GAC agency office to ensure compliance
with any laws and guidelines for entering the UK and what will be required from a self-
isolation regulation.
They will need to provide journey and contact details. They should not need to self-
isolate for 14 days as only transiting via the UK. They will not need to show anything as
will not pass through the UK border.
In summary
• If not passing Border Control, then no action required.
• If passing Border Control and coming into the UK, please check with local GAC
office who will assist.
Are workers with specialist technical skills required for essential or
emergency works to ensure the continued safe and secure operations of
generating stations, gas or electricity transmission or distribution networks,
electricity interconnectors, gas terminals or district or communal heat
networks exempt?
• Yes, these personnel are exempt. They will need to complete the online
passenger locator form but should not need to self-isolate.
• They will need to show a letter from their company at the border which includes:
• personal details, such as name and address
• contact details for employer
• explanation of work to be carried out
If they have employer issued photo identification, they should bring this also.
In Summary
• Offshore wind technicians will be exempt.
• All crew must complete the online passenger locator form but should not need
to self-isolate.
• The form is to be carried on the person to be produced to a Border Force Officer
on request.
COVID Quarantine Guidance v1.7
Page 4 of 6 Updated: 01/09/2020• The form is to be submitted within 48hrs of and prior to UK arrival / departure.
Crew also required to carry Seamans books and we also suggest a letter from
their employer with contact details and stating nature of business.
Are Project crew/company visitors exempt?
Project crew/company visitors travelling from outside he UK that are not departing with
the vessel but just visiting whilst alongside will not be classed as exempt personnel
unless they qualify as listed in the UK Government exemptions list.
Project Crew departing with the vessel, if classed as essential workers per the guidance
will qualify for exemption and will not be required to self-isolate but will be required to
fill out passenger locator form.
In summary
• Visitors will be required to quarantine for 14 days unless their job role does not
qualify under the exemptions list or they are arriving from a country on the
corridor list
• Visitor who self-isolate and visit a vessel in port must still complete the online
passenger locator form.
• Form to be submitted within 48hrs of and prior UK arrival / departure.
Summary
These quarantine rules have been specifically introduced due to COVID-19 and are not
to be confused with other UK Immigration laws. For guidance on Immigration laws in
the UK please speak to your local GAC agency office who can advise on requirements
for crew arriving into or departing the UK.
Please see below an example and link to the form that personnel will be required to fill
in for arriving/departing the UK:
https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk
COVID Quarantine Guidance v1.7
Page 5 of 6 Updated: 01/09/2020As previously stated, this document has been produced by GAC UK as guidelines only
to the new UK Government rules which are being changed and updated on a regular
basis. If there is any doubt or you have any questions, please contact your local GAC
agent who can assist and liaise with Border Force for any clarification.
**Incorrect submissions or failure to submit forms will result in financial penalties. It is
your responsibility to ensure your crew/staff are following these rules. GAC UK cannot
be held responsible for any breaches. We act as agents only and have produced this as
an advisory document only for our customers.
COVID Quarantine Guidance v1.7
Page 6 of 6 Updated: 01/09/2020You can also read
