Britons traveling to carry document to avoid lockdown rules

Britons traveling abroad from Monday will have to carry a form setting out why their trip is allowed under lockdown rules - or face a £200 fine. /Getty Images

Britons traveling abroad from Monday will have to carry a form setting out why their trip is allowed under lockdown rules - or face a £200 fine.

Under new measures to crack down on illegal trips, the Department for Transport said carriers will be checking for completed forms before passengers board - either at check-in or at the departure gate.

Those who do not have a valid form could be stopped from traveling. The form must be downloaded from gov.uk, signed before travel, and carried or downloaded on to a mobile phone.

Forty days after the measure was announced by Home Secretary Priti Patel on 27 January, spot checks will be carried out to ask passengers to produce a completed form, with those who fail to provide one risking a £200 fine.

Under current COVID19 lockdown restrictions, it is illegal to travel abroad for holiday and journeys are only permitted for certain reasons.

(With input from agencies)