Arrivals from Belgium, Andorra, or the Bahamas must enter quarantine, Welsh Government says

Anyone arriving to Wales from Belgium, Andorra, or the Bahamas from midnight tonight must enter quarantine for 14 days, the Welsh Government has announced.

“Anyone who arrives in Wales from Andorra, the Bahamas and Belgium or who has been in any of those countries or territories during the last 14 days will be required to isolate for 14 days as of tomorrow,” Health Minister Vaughan Gething said.

The changes were made after they “considered the evidence for the public health risk now posed by travellers who enter the UK from these places.”

However, quarantine restrictions have been dropped for Brunei and Malaysia.

“The four nations of the UK made this decision together and we have amended our regulations,” a Welsh Government spokesperson said. “We understand similar changes will be made in the other nations.”

The changes were announced by Wales’ Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

The three destinations will be removed from the list of countries which have been exempted from border health controls. Luxembourg, Spain and Serbia were all removed last month.

The statement

“Yesterday I attended a meeting of ministers from all four UK countries to consider the public health risk posed by an increasing prevalence of COVID-19 in Andorra, the Bahamas and Belgium,” Vaughan Gething said.

“Having considered the evidence for the public health risk now posed by travellers who enter the UK from these places, the Welsh Government will later today remove Andorra, the Bahamas and Belgium from the list of countries and territories exempt from our health measures at the border.

“Together with other UK ministers, I have also considered the public health risk posed by a decreasing prevalence of COVID-19 in Brunei and Malaysia.  As a consequence, the Welsh Government will also later today add Brunei and Malaysia to the list of countries and territories exempt from our health measures at the border.

“Urgent amendments will be introduced to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel) (Wales) Regulations 2020 which will come into effect from midnight tonight.  These amendments will mean that anyone who arrives in Wales from Andorra, the Bahamas and Belgium or who has been in any of those countries or territories during the last 14 days will be required to isolate for 14 days as of tomorrow.  Anyone who arrives in Wales from Brunei or Malaysia, on the other hand, from tomorrow will not be required to isolate for 14 days.

“When the Regulations are laid the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd will write to the Llywydd, in accordance with the requirements of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 and our usual practice.

“This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.”