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Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Monday, 8 March 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 March 2021 (named day). It was answered by Robert Courts (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 March 2021 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Travel: Coronavirus

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the new form required to be completed by people travelling abroad from England, whether that form must be completed by non residents and/or foreign nationals; and whether migrating to another country is a permitted reason to travel abroad.

Answer

All people travelling from England outside the Common Travel Area, including foreign nationals, are required to complete a travel declaration form unless they are exempt. Details of exemptions can be found on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules). Those under 18 and those that lack capacity are not required to have a travel declaration form. If travelling with a responsible adult, however, that responsible adult must complete a form on their behalf.

Under the current stay at home restrictions, people may only leave home or the place where they are living if they have a reasonable excuse. Moving house is a reasonable excuse for these purposes, so travelling abroad in order to move home is permitted and may be stated on the travel declaration form. Whether someone is in fact travelling for the purposes of moving home will be a matter of fact, which police may assess if questioning an individual.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
164471
Session
2019-21
Related items
Travel: Coronavirus
Tuesday, 16 March 2021
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Disease control Foreign nationals Migration Travel Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk