Performing musicians travelling for 'business' will no longer need to self-isolate for two weeks when entering England from a country that is not on the UK's travel corridor exemptions list.

The new rule came into force on December 5, with Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps saying that 'performing artists' certified by Arts Council England (ACE) are one of a number of professions exempt from 14-day quarantine measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 from overseas. Promoters in England can now therefore book any artists from those countries to play shows without them needing to self-isolate first upon arrival, while artists returning from international shows in countries not on the exemptions list will also no longer be required to self-isolate.

The exemption only applies to England and will not apply to individuals who are travelling for reasons other than business. An extension to the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is awaiting approval from their devolved governments.

Shapps has however highlighted that the exemptions are "subject to specific criteria being met" and that they only apply to those classed as 'high-value', meaning that the decision is in the hands of ACE. Guidance on how ACE will make its decision is due to be published soon.

Elite sports people and journalists are amongst the others exempt from the self-isolation rule.