Government Introduces Quarantine Exemption For Journalists

A quarantine exemption for journalists who need to travel to England for work assignments or return to the UK having travelled abroad for work assignments is due to come into effect on Saturday.

The News Media Association worked with Government and other media organisations such as the NUJ, ITN and the BBC to secure the exemption and create guidance for how the exemption applies. The guidance can be viewed here .

Exemptions will also come into force at 4am on Saturday (5 December) for domestic and international performing arts professionals, TV production staff, journalists, and recently signed elite sportspersons, ensuring that industries which require specific, high talent individuals who rely on international connections can continue to complete their work, the Government said.

Individuals will only be exempt when undertaking the specific business activity and will only be able to meet with others as required by that specific activity.

NMA deputy chief executive Lynne Anderson said: “Journalists play a vital role in bringing trusted, reliable news to the public and countering disinformation which is why they were granted key worker status at the start of the pandemic.

“Quarantine restrictions have made it a logistical nightmare for foreign correspondents and other essential news media workers to move across borders and cover international work assignments. It will come as a welcome relief that they are being added to the list of workers eligible for an exemption and will make their difficult, often risky, jobs that much easier.”