Tonight, 13th August, the government for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland announced that those travelling to the UK from France will have to self-isolate for 14 days. This new rule will go into effect from 4:00am BST on Saturday 15th August 2020.
In addition, French government has announced that this decision will be reciprocal, meaning they will impose the same regulation for those arriving to France from the UK. As a result, anyone travelling from the United Kingdom will need to self-isolate when they arrive in France.
As we are still within the summer holiday period, and with Disneyland Paris continuing to welcome guests as Europe’s No.1 tourist destination, there may be some confusion as to what all this means and if it will affect your DLP holiday. With this article I hope to answer any and all questions that you may have to help inform those of the new legislation changes and what you can and cannot do.
What does this mean?
From 4:00am BST on Saturday 15th August, anyone that arrives at the UK whether that be by plane, train, ferry, or whatever means of transport and has been in France within the past 14 days must self-isolate for two week.
French government has also announced this regulation will also come into affect the other way around. Therefore, anyone travelling to France from UK by any transports also must self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival in the country.
By self-isolate, this means that you must stay in your home for the entirety of the 14 day period not leaving for any reason, such as exercise. If possible, it will be necessary to ask a relative or friend if they can deliver food and other essentials to your home during this time.
There are a small but important number of professionals who will be exempt from this self-isolation, namely key healthcare workers. For full details please check the official government website.
Why has this been announced?
New cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus has been increasing in France.
Other countries such as Spain and Belgium were recently informed of the same self-isolation rule for arrivals. To battle the number of cases and avoid the spread of infection the government has deemed it necessary that anyone who visits countries of increasing cases to quarantine.
I don’t feel unwell, do I still have to self-isolate?
YES. You may not feel any symptoms relating to the COVID-19 coronavirus, but that does not mean you do not have it or are immune to the virus. It can take several days before symptoms show, hence why self-isolation must be done from the moment you arrive back home.
Additionally, Many people have contracted the disease asymptomatically, meaning they have it but do not feel ill from it. Although fortunate for you, it means you could potentially spread the virus to others.
What if I travel to another country first – like Ireland – then onwards to the UK?
You will still have to self-isolate when arriving to the United Kingdom. The new quarantine rules state that everyone must do so if they spent anytime in France within the past 14 days. This will also need to be made clear when filling in the form you are required to fill in before arriving home. Travelling to another country which is not on the UK’s quarantine list does not make you exempt from the rules, although it may require you to stay 14 days in that country if they have implemented similar rules.
I have a trip to Disneyland Paris planned soon, should I still go or cancel?
That is entirely up to you, though it is vitally important to stress the importance of these new rules and the very real possibility of spreading infection.
With the announcement that French government will reciprocate these regulations onto the UK, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days before you can step foot in Disneyland Paris.
While Disneyland Paris is by do doubt a safe location to visit with the resort going above and beyond to ensure it can operate while putting the health of guests and Cast Members first, it is not excluded from these rules. As Disneyland Paris is in France, anyone visiting will need to self-isolate when arriving and returning home.
The UK Foreign Office have updated their status for travel to France, advising all but essential travel to the country. By consequence, this means it is likely any travel insurance you have/plan to have will not cover you.
I am in Disneyland Paris right now, what should I do?
Do not panic. If you are planning to return home to the UK before 15th August, you will not have to self-isolate for 14 days, although I would strongly recommend proceeding with caution and limiting your time in public if possible.
If your journey home is after 5:00am Disneyland Paris time on Saturday 15th August, this means you will have to quarantine upon returning to the UK. If this is a problem, I would strongly advise looking at changing your travel plans. Be warned however that prices will likely have increased due to demand.
I was recently in Disneyland Paris (less than 14 days ago), do I have to self-isolate too?
No. Under this new rule only those who arrive to the UK from 15th August will have to quarantine if they had spent time in France.
That being said, I would advise you to be extra cautious if having to go into the public within the next two weeks. Although you do not have to self-isolate, you were still in a location with increasing cases, so try to limit your time out if possible.