NUJ disappointed by suspension of travel exemptions for journalists

  • 19 Jan 2021

The UK government has announced the suspension of Travel Corridors, and the tightening of the list of exemptions from quarantine, for at least one month from Monday 18 January.

The move is aimed to prevent and suppress the spread of the coronavirus in the UK.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said:

"This disappointing decision will make it harder for journalists whose work involves crossing borders and impede their ability to report on this global health pandemic.
"The union worked hard to convince the authorities to include journalists on the list of exemptions, and we hope there will be a resumption of the exemption at the earliest possibility. The ability of journalists to report during this unprecedented time is more important than ever."

As of 04.00 on Monday, journalists are no longer exempt from quarantine requirements. The list of the suspended exemptions is available: 

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

From 4am on Monday 18 January, all international arrivals who departed from or transited through any country outside the Common Travel Area in the previous 10 days will be required to both take a pre-departure test and to self-isolate immediately for 10 days on arrival.

The new measures will be reviewed on Monday 15 February.

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