Heathrow has opened a dedicated terminal for passengers on direct flights from Red List countries, following concerns they were mingling with those from Green and Orange countries.
Travelers making direct flights from Red List destinations will now pass through Terminal 3, although a dedicated facility for handling these travelers is ultimately planned for Terminal 4.
It comes after airport staff have expressed fears for their safety due to overcrowding, amid concerns that travelers arriving from countries on the red list are mixing with those from green and amber.
People from different lists got stuck in a neck before immigration, according to the GMB union which represents workers in the UK.
Currently, 43 countries are on the UK government’s red list. However, direct flights can only be taken by a handful and only UK and Irish nationals or UK residents are allowed to travel from the countries on the list.
Under coronavirus rules, anyone who has been in a Red List country is required to pay for hotel quarantine for 10 nights after arrival.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: ‘Red List routes are likely to be a feature of UK travel for the foreseeable future as countries vaccinate their populations at different rates.
“We are adapting Heathrow to this longer-term reality by first opening a dedicated arrivals facility in Terminal 3 from 1 June for Red List passengers arriving on direct flights.
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“Although opening this facility is logistically very difficult, we hope that it will allow the Border Force to carry out its tasks more efficiently as the passenger volume increases in accordance with the green list.
“Until then, the current red list system will remain in place.
“This system was designed by …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-06-01 05:39:00
