Govt introduces mandatory form for international travel
Rob GillPeople travelling internationally will be legally required to fill in a new travel declaration form from Monday (8 March) and will commit a criminal offence if they go to a departure port without a completed form.
Although UK residents are currently banned from going on holiday until at least 17 May, they can still travel abroad legally for several reasons, such as work, volunteering, education, medical or compassionate grounds, and to attend weddings, funerals and other “related” events.
The new Declaration for International Travel form will have to be filled in from Monday (8 March) with travellers having to declare their reason for travelling overseas.
The move is one of a series of proposals set out by home secretary Priti Patel in January to limit international travel from the UK.
The new form only applies to people travelling outside the UK from England, as there are different rules for international travel from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“You should print a copy of the completed form or save it to a mobile phone or other device,” said the government in its advice on the travel declaration form.
“You may be asked to show this declaration form at the port of departure. You may carry evidence to support your reason for travel.
“Entering a port of departure to travel internationally without a completed form is a criminal offence, for which you could be fined.
“If you try to travel abroad without a legally permitted reason, you may also be fined for breaching the stay-at-home requirements.”
The government added that police officers would be conducting “spot checks” at departure points asking for travellers to produce the form with fines of £200 for those who fail to produce a completed form.
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