UK quarantine: what if only visiting for a few days?
Reader question: We have read about the obligatory 14-day self-isolation period in the UK which is to start on June 8. What happens about shorter trips? Can we still go if we're only staying for three days and then returning to France?
Short trips of less than 14 days are allowed but you will have to self-isolate for your entire stay.
UK self-isolation rules apply to everyone arriving in the country from June 8, except people coming from Ireland, goods drivers and medical staff coming to help combat Covid-19.
You will have to complete an online form to give details of your travel plan and the address of the place you are staying. You can be fined £100 if you refuse to give these details.
You will find the form here, when it is available.
You will not be allowed to go out, even for food shopping unless no one else can do it for you. You will not be allowed to have visitors unless they provide essential care.
If you are at home or staying with friends or family, you should avoid contact with the people you are staying with and minimise the time you spend in shared areas.
You can only leave if you need urgent medical treatment, support from social services, food or medicine that cannot be delivered by someone else, for compassionate reasons such as attending a funeral, or if there is an emergency.
There could be checks and breaches will be punishable with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice in England. In some cases, it could involve potential prosecution and an unlimited fine. Other parts of the UK can set their own enforcement rules.
The rules will be reviewed every three weeks, meaning the first review will be on June 29.
To return to France, you will also need to fill an international travel form available here, and tick the right box for your case.
You are allowed to travel to France if you have French nationality or if your main residence is in France. You can also travel for work-related reasons, or for custody of a child.
You will be invited to self-isolate on a voluntary basis for two weeks once you are back in France.
Read more:
Travellers UK to France: Voluntary 14-day quarantine
UK clarifies 14-day quarantine rules
