New 14 day quarantine from 8th June advice pls

[justme36]

I am a British citizen travelling to Heathrow on 17th June. I then need to catch another flight to Bulgaria 2 hours later from the same terminal but it's not a connecting flight. These are 2 separate tickets. I have to pass border control to collect my bags and then go to catch another flight. But if I pass border control it is as if I have entered the country. So I am considered a landside transit passenger. Will I be quarantined?

I read all government advice online and there is no such information anywhere. It is not clear!

Please advise

[VenusOfWillendorf]

If you have no check-in luggage you can certainly go to flight connections directly, so long as you have your boarding pass (and most airlines will let you get this directly on your phone).
I've done this - I stupidly went to the wrong gate and missed my flight, but was able to book another on my phone and go straight to the new gate without back out.
If you need to check in luggage, and your Bulgarian flight is with the same airline or the same airline group as your London flight, you would probably be able to check luggage straight through to Bulgaria - best to ring the airline and confirm first though.
If you can't do this, I'd consider trying to move the Bulgaria flight to later, as 2 hours is very short to land, do passport control, possibly health checks by June 16 and check-in again. In Heathrow, you must be at security at least 45 minutes before your flight departs.

[justme36]

Yes I saw that too. Hopefully no other countries do. My flight leaves on 16th June

[Ginfordinner]

I don't want to worry you, but the US have just suspended travel from Brazil for foreigners.

[glitterfarts]

If the same airline, make sure you have your parents address all over your baggage and request to check it to the final destination on check in at Brazil.
I have done this before on 2 separate tickets.

[justme36]

Indeed Ginfordinner! I feel so relieved

[ToffeeYoghurt]

That's good news. I'm glad they got back to you to clarify.
Wishing you luck with everything.

[Ginfordinner]

Brilliant news

[justme36]

I received a response from the British embassy today:

Thank you for your contact.



Given that your final destination is Bulgaria and need to transit the UK boarder to return home, you may do so without self-isolating. You should avoid using public transportation to travel between ports. Please make sure to have all your flight reservation and documentation to show during your entering in the country.



Best regards,

[notimagain]

I'll risk stating the blindingly obvious: make sure you have your Boarding passes for the second sector before arriving at Heathrow...

Good Luck.

[justme36]

Thank you !

[TheHighestSardine]

Always a good idea if you can manage it! Best of luck with everything.

[justme36]

Someone just gave me an idea. I leave suitacases behind and travel just with hand luggage. 2 small suitacases and 2 racksacks that go in the airplane with us. That way we go straight to connections and we don't pass border control.

[justme36]

Thank you ToffeeYoghurt. If you hear anything feel free to pm me too :)

[ToffeeYoghurt]

Good luck with it all. I wish you and your daughter a safe journey.

[justme36]

Good point ToffeeYoghurt...I didn't think of that. I will give the Bulgarian address and see what they say!

[ToffeeYoghurt]

I assume you give the Bulgarian address?
It's a bit shit the lack of clear information.

[justme36]

Exactly ToffeeYoghurt! And if I don't give them an address as I won't be staying then what? It's so unclear

I even tweeted The home office, Heathrow airport and BBC news
no reply!

[ToffeeYoghurt]

Thinking about it. Unless the UK policy changes again you won't have to quarantine. From 8 June the government is going to ask all new arrivals to self isolate only once they get to their destination (home, hotel, etc).

I see what you mean by unhelpful btw. There's no information at all on that link!

[justme36]

Thank you ToffeeYoghurt and really I don't know why I am posting on here. I guess because you all are in the UK and might know more than me

[justme36]

Yes I know it's a short connection but either way I could catch another flight 5 hrs later if I miss this one.

I have a sister in UK but can't stay there as she is worried about me passing the virus to her and her kids in case I catch it on the way. My parents live in Bulgaria so I was planning to go there for the summer.

[ToffeeYoghurt]

I'm sorry @justme36. What an awful situation for you. Sorry you're dealing with this. I hope you and your daughter make it home safely without too much difficulty.

You're a far lower risk than all the passengers who'll be heading off unchecked or quarantined onto London's public transport and beyond.

I hope somebody who knows can answer your question. I doubt you'll have to but can't say for certain.

I understand people have to get home in certain circumstances. I just wish the UK was doing the same as some other countries. Quarantining new arrivals at hotels (paid for by the state) and transported there by coach.

[titchy]

Tbh even without CV only 2 hours between long haul flights is far too short. You only need an hour delay into Heathrow and you won't have time to get landslide, then queue up at security to go through again.

If you're British do you have friends or family here you could stay with?

[justme36]

I have emailed the British embassy here and they have just posted the same links that are in no way helpful.

[justme36]

This is what I found on the gov webiste and in no way explains anything:

www.gov.uk/uk-border-control/layovers-and-transiting

[justme36]

ToffeeYoghurt you are 100% right in thinking this way.

I posted a few months ago on here about my situation. I moved to Brazil with Brazilian husband and things were not going great. He kicked me and my daughter out and I am currently renting a flat near the airport and have been saving money to leave the country.

I must fly home