Outbound travellers from UK will be legally asked to provide reason for travel from March 8

LONDON Feb 24: From 8 March, outbound travellers will be legally obliged to provide their reason for travel on the Declaration to Travel form.” This procedure was originally promised to Parliament by the home secretary, Priti Patel, on 27 January. It appears likely to be delivered 40 days later, The Independent reported.

Transport operators will be told to check whether or not the traveller has a valid reason to travel. Airlines, train companies and ferry firms face fines if they allow a passenger to leave the country without proof of their entitlement.

The Independent newspaper has asked the government for more details of what the Declaration to Travel will involve, but has been told it is a “work in progress”.

Transport firms contacted by The Independent newspaper, have not been briefed on the new requirement, which comes into effect in less than two weeks.

At the time it was announced, the Home Office warned: “There will be an increased police presence at ports and airports, fining those in breach of the stay-at-home regulations.

“Anyone who does not have a valid reason for travel will be directed to return home and may face a fine.”

In addition to the Declaration to Travel, outbound passengers will need to meet the testing and quarantine requirements of their destination country – and to do the same when returning to the UK.

At present all holidays within and beyond the UK are illegal. But international flights, trains and ferry are still operating for those who are exempt from the ban – whether for professional or personal reasons.

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