The U.K. government has announced an exemption from quarantine for business travelers arriving in England who "deliver significant benefit" to the U.K. economy, beginning 4 a.m. on Dec. 5.
It said that individuals "undertaking specific business activity which would deliver a significant benefit to the U.K. economy—including activity that creates or preserves 50-plus U.K. jobs – will no longer need to self-isolate when traveling or returning from non-exempt countries."
The government added that individuals only would be exempt when undertaking the specific business activity and only would be able to meet with others as required by that specific activity. Further information will be made available when the exemptions come into force.
It added that domestic and international performing arts professionals, TV production staff, journalists, and recently signed elite sportspersons, also would be exempt "ensuring that industries which require specific, high talent individuals who rely on international connections can continue to complete their work."
Clive Wratten, CEO of the U.K.'s Business Travel Association, said: "The announcement that government-selected categories of business travelers returning to the U.K. are exempt from quarantine is a step in the right direction. However, business travel takes many forms and all should be exempt.
"Engineers, humanitarian workers, retail buyers and many other professionals travelling for work are all crucial to the U.K. economy."
Public Health England said it did not "anticipate these changes will raise the risk of domestic transmission, due to the protocols being put in place around these exemptions, however all exemptions will remain under review."
European aviation bodies and public health authorities said Wednesday that quarantine was not effective at the current time.
Originally published in BTN Europe.