Monday, September 28, 2020
In an unfortunate turn of events, Denmark, Iceland, Slovakia, and Curacao have been removed from England’s quarantine safe list. The action was undertaken by the U.K. government after a recent increase of positive COVID-19 cases in these countries. Therefore, individuals arriving in England from these countries will now have to undergo mandatory quarantine restrictions.
The latest decision comes following Slovenia and Guadeloupe’s removal from U.K.’s travel corridor exempt list. According to the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England, a significant surge in both the level and pace of confirmed coronavirus cases can be noticed in all the mentioned countries. Data from Iceland showcased a consistent increase in COVID-19 cases per 100,000 of the population, which is almost equal to a 921% increase in newly reported cases over the past week.
Similarly Denmark has reported a 508% increase in newly reported cases per week over last one month and Curacao has recorded a 481% increase in newly reported cases over seven days per 100,000 individuals between September 2 and 23. In Slovakia too, there has been a consistent rise in the weekly COVID-19, with a 115% increase in weekly cases per 100,000 between September 2 and 23.
This data led the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to update its travel advice to advise against all but essential travel to Denmark, Iceland, Curacao and Slovakia. The FCDO has mentioned that all people in the four countries will have to follow local rules and will be quarantined for two weeks upon arrival in England.
Monday, September 25, 2023
