Seasonal workers exempt from NI Covid travel restrictions

Migrant workers entering Northern Ireland for employment in the edible horticultural sector will be exempt from Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has announced those entering the country on the 2021 seasonal agricultural worker’s scheme will not have to self-isolate if they carry out regular lateral flow tests.

Tests will be provided for free to farms participating in the scheme. Upon arrival, workers are required to test on days two, five and eight.

See also: Overseas staff: Tips to ensure eligibility to work in UK

The pilot scheme is specifically for workers on edible horticultural farms and will require the workers to have travelled from an amber list country.

Agriculture minister Edwin Poots said: “Access to seasonal workers is essential to the continued viability of the edible horticulture sector and, given the relatively short timeframe of the visas, these exemptions will ensure there is no time wasted when workers arrive here, so farms can benefit from the extra labour immediately.”

It is not yet known if this is likely to become available for other agricultural sectors. Farmers Weekly has contacted Daera for comment, but has not yet received a response.

What’s happening in England?

Defra has had some exemptions for seasonal agricultural workers in place since spring 2020, as part of the seasonal workers’ pilot. More information on requirements when coming to the UK for seasonal agricultural work can be found on the gov.uk website.

In England, some critical workers have been made exempt from self-isolation. This includes specific businesses in the food supply chain such as food manufacturers and some processing sites.

NFU vice-president Tom Bradshaw said: “While this is good news and will help ease pressure for many businesses within the food supply chain, such as processing plants and distribution centres, it doesn’t go far enough to avoid disruption further down the chain – particularly for those who can offer more Covid-19 security while keeping food supply moving.”

The UK government also announced on 28 July that fully vaccinated travellers arriving from amber list countries will not have to quarantine when entering the UK. Arrivals will still have to take a test before arrival into the UK and a PCR test once in the UK before day two.