25 May Entering the UK: exemptions for manufacturing

The UK Government has announced that, from 8 June, there will be new rules in place for entering the UK because of coronavirus (COVID-19).  The Rules are for residents and visitors.  When these rules are in place, everyone will:

  • need to provide your journey and contact details when you travel to the UK,
  • not be allowed to leave the place you’re staying for the first 14 days you’re in the UK, except in very limited situations (known as ‘self-isolating’).

There are exemptions for any essential workers who need to come into the UK to support the continued operation of the manufacturing sector.

For details visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules?utm_source=b38e8922-a236-42b9-979f-c8cd753816b5&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

This is not a blanket exemption for all employees, and any staff member who travels outside the UK and who is not required to conduct essential work on their return must isolate for 14 days (this includes if they travelled outside the UK for work).  All staff should follow the Foreign Office travel advice which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

There is a general exemption on hauliers, and additionally should you need to bring in workers from outside the UK to conduct essential work, they will be exempt from quarantine as per the exemption below:

‘A worker with specialist technical skills, where those specialist technical skills are required for essential or emergency works (including commissioning, maintenance and repairs) to ensure the continued production and manufacture of goods in the UK.’

The implementation date for England is the 8th June.  The devolved administrations will be announcing their respective implementation dates shortly, although it is expected that the same exemptions will apply across the whole of the UK.

Pam Murrell, CEO of the CMF welcomed the announcement saying, “We are pleased to see these exemptions announced, as many of our members were concerned about the potential impact on business if certain key employees were not able to travel to carry out essential work.  The fact that this has been recognised in the Home Office is a further indication of how the role of UK manufacturing is being valued during this pandemic – I hope this continues to be the case into the future.”

Further Details:

There are no additional conditions placed on exempt workers except that they must ensure they are strictly following all government advice on social distancing, safer working and safer travelling, links to this advice are below;

Social Distancing: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing
Safer Working: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Safer Travelling: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers

Workers who enter the country will need to be carrying a letter explaining why they are exempt. These letters will need to contain the following details;

 Name of worker (generic letters are not acceptable)
 Details of the work they are undertaking.
 Contact details for the company for which the essential work is being completed.

Further information on the policy and the exemptions will be published on  http://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control. Further guidance will be issued to CMF Members in due course.

Anyone entering the UK will also need to provide contact details and details of their visit on an online form before they travel.  It is important to also note that workers are NOT exempt from this measure and they will need to complete the form before they travel.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will endeavour to do our best to help with answers, please contact email: admin@cmfed.co.uk or Tel: 0121 809 3500

Pam Murrell
Pam Murrell
pammurrell@cmfed.co.uk