A ban on leaving the UK without a “reasonable excuse” comes into force next Monday and will remain in place until the end of June. The government is blaming a third wave of covid-19 cases in Europe.
From Monday, anyone attempting to leave the UK without a good reason, will be fined £5,000. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who is doing the rounds of the UK media this morning, refused to confirm or deny it.
The travel ban is included in legislation that MP’s will vote on this coming Thursday. The government wants to extend emergency powers it was given under the Coronavirus Act, until September 25th.
This is hugely controversial. Tory backbenchers have said that they will rebel, but the government will get it through with the support of the Labour Party. 
Yesterday, Boris Johnson said that the UK should be “under no illusion” that it will feel the effects of rising cases on the continent.
Health Minister Lord Bethell, said last night, that the UK might put “all our European neighbours” on the “red list” of countries. People from those countries are currently not allowed to travel to the UK, with the exception of British nationals.
From Monday, anyone travelling abroad will have to fill in a “Declaration to Travel” form, stating a valid reason for leaving the country.
The hits just keep on coming. Government scientists have said that mask wearing and social distancing will be with us for years. This morning it was revealed that Johnson is going to attempt to change the law and make vaccines compulsory for care workers.
From next week it will be against the law to try and leave the country without a “valid reason.” This is what fascism looks like.
12 months ago today, Boris Johnson asked the country to stay at home for three weeks to flatten the curve. I didn’t believe him then. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, speaking to SKY News this morning, did not correct the presenter Niall Paterson when he suggested that we “could still be here next year.”
Hancock just nodded.
