BEAMA has received additional guidance from Government on the new COIVID-19 Quarantine policy and a template letter required to be used to claim an exemption from quarantine/self-isolation requirements. Use of the letter template is not mandatory but it will presumably make the process of establishing exemptions quicker and easier. Also note that it states that use of a generic letter for all employees will not be acceptable. Although the level of enforcement possible for these requirements remains to be seen, it would be advisable not to adopt a blanket approach to such letters and to ensure they do specifically cite at least the type of essential work to be carried out, along with the timeframe and locations involved
Exemption letter guidance now published for UK businesses.
Exemption Letter Guidance 1
The Home Secretary has laid Regulations on the 14 day borders quarantine policy. https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control. The Regulations and exemptions will be reviewed every 21 days with the first review on 29 June. Devolved Administrations will be introducing similar provisions in the coming days
- The Government has issued guidance on the employer letter to be carried by those claiming exemptions (attached).
- Key change from the guidance circulated previously:
- All arrivals in England from within the Common Travel Area (Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) will be required to provide locator details and self-isolate if they have entered the CTA from overseas within the last 14 days. They will have to self-isolate until they have spent a total of 14 days in the CTA.
- Those who have been in the CTA for longer than 14 days will not have to provide locator details or self-isolate.
- Businesses will have determine themselves whether or not an exemption applies in their case.
BEAMA continue to work with our community of members to understand how this guidance applies to their international business operations.
