Grant full exemptions from quarantine for seafarers and oil & gas workers

Engage with the relevant industry representatives to ensure that these vital industries are exempt from the latest quarantine rules.

The Marine and Offshore Oil & Gas industry are taking many measures to ensure their personnel are virus free. If workers in this sector are forced to quarantine after extended periods away from home it could be extremely detrimental to their mental health and wellbeing. We are world leaders in these industries which are fundamental to a strong economy.

The Government keeps border measures and any exemptions under constant review. While DfT are well aware of the impact that the current restrictions have on those that work in the maritime and offshore Oil and Gas Industries, these measures protect both the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines, as they are rolled out at pace across the UK, and the health of UK citizens. The Government follows the advice of its scientists and Public Health England in these matters.

Throughout the pandemic, the Government have implemented measures, informed by the advice received. The detection of new strains of the Covid-19 virus has led to the Government introducing further measures. These measures are considered proportionate to the scale of the pandemic.

The Government continues to assess the impact of restrictions on the maritime sector and connected industries like those of oil and gas. It recognises the important contribution they make to the UK economy. However, any future relaxation of measures will only be possible in line with public health requirements.

On the 22 February, the Prime Minister published his Roadmap for lifting restrictions and confirmed that the Government’s Global Travel Taskforce will report on 12 April recommendations aimed at facilitating travel, while still managing risk from imported cases and variants of concern.

This Government will lift the restrictions only when the data provided shows it is safe to do so.

Department for Transport