Newsgatherers to be exempted from travel quarantine
NOTE: the exemption was rescinded owing to increasing infection levels - the union is lobbying for it to be restored.
The NUJ has welcomed confirmation this evening by the Secretary of State for Transport that journalists travelling in the course of their work as newsgatherers will be exempted from quarantine regulations from 4am on Saturday 5 December.
NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet said:
"This is welcome news for all those journalists who cross borders as part of their work, at a time when news and reporting is more important than ever. The exemption is further acknowledgement of our members' status as key workers and reaffirms the importance of the UK Press card, of which the NUJ is the largest gatekeeper.
"It's a particularly welcome measure for freelances who have lost work and income as a result of having to quarantine after commissions abroad. We've been working hard to secure this exemption and welcome the efforts made by DCMS to achieve this."
The measures will also apply to journalists travelling to the UK from abroad, who are in receipt of the IFJ press card. The full guidance (updated 14 December) is available on GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions.