To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he is taking to support travellers who are overseas if the country they are visiting is suddenly placed onto the Red list in the context of the covid-19 pandemic.
Answered on
6 September 2021
British nationals should inform themselves of the risks in a country, including the latest COVID situation, by following FCDO Travel Advice. British nationals should not travel to red list countries or territories. Those already overseas should follow the public health advice of the country which they are in, including current COVID-19 restrictions. British nationals requiring assistance in country should contact their nearest embassy, consulate or high commission. Our consular staff endeavour to give appropriate and tailored support to British nationals overseas and their families in the UK, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
This support includes providing assistance to return to the UK where it is appropriate. The assistance the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide to British nationals abroad is set out in the publication: Support for British nationals abroad: A Guide (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide). Those returning to the UK should check current COVID-19 related restrictions (https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control). Individuals returning from red listed countries must enter managed hotel quarantine. This programme is run by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) with information, including for those in financial hardship or seeking exemptions, available on www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england.