Tory MP causes chaos after fine threat for ‘jollies’ to ‘amber’ countries

A Tory MP has caused more travel confusion after saying Britons who go on “jollies” to amber list countries could be fined.

Dehenna Davison’s warning towards people heading on holidays came despite government rules allowing “amber list” trips no matter the reason – if testing and isolation rules are obeyed

Travellers can only be fined if they lie about their UK quarantine details or fail to isolate on return for up to 10 days.

Ms Davison made the controversial comments on BBC Radio 5, adding to widespread confusion over travel restrictions.

She said: “There are definitely checks going on and people who are found to be lying or people who are travelling just for a jolly when they shouldn’t be are going to be fined.

“Because you know it is easy to ask all of these questions, people want to find loopholes to be able to travel.

“I know I’m desperate for a holiday like the next person. But we are still living in this age of global pandemic.”

Even more confusion

A Downing Street spokesperson further refused commenting on the accuracy of Ms Davison’s statements, according to The Mirror.

The spokesperson said: “We’ve set out the enforcement action that we will take, and as you know if you return from an amber list country you are required to quarantine at your place of residence.”

“We have spot checks for those who are required to quarantine when they arrive back in the UK.”

He added: “Officers will consider enforcement action following investigations and individuals who fail to comply can be issued with a fixed penalty notice of up to £10,000.”

“We’ve been clear people shouldn’t be travelling to amber list countries for the purposes of holidays.”

A confusing government

Over the past week, six ministers have given different advice over what the rules are for travelling to amber list countries.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said people “should not travel to amber-list countries for a holiday.”

Environment secretary George Eustice said it was fine to travel to those countries to “visit family.”

But Boris Johnson insisted people should only travel if there was “some pressing family or urgent business reason”.

Welsh secretary Simon Hart said “some people might think a holiday is essential.”

Health minister Lord Bethell said travelling is “dangerous” and that people should not travel at all to any country this year.

Meanwhile, skills minister Gillian Keegan said business, care and funeral visits overseas are fine – but holidays are not.

At Thursday’s Downing Street briefing, Matt Hancock said the government had been “absolutely crystal clear”.

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Andra Maciuca

Andra is a multilingual, award-winning NQJ senior journalist and the UK’s first Romanian representing co-nationals in Britain and reporting on EU citizens for national news. She is interested in UK, EU and Eastern European affairs, EU citizens in the UK, British citizens in the EU, environmental reporting, ethical consumerism and corporate social responsibility. She has contributed articles to VICE, Ethical Consumer and The New European and likes writing poetry, singing, songwriting and playing instruments. She studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield and has a Masters in International Business and Management from the University of Manchester. Follow her on: