The UK will introduce a 14-day mandatory quarantine period for travelers arriving from abroad beginning on June 8, a move criticized by airlines, business groups and politicians alike
Passengers wearing protective clothing are seen at Heathrow Airport, amid the coronavirus disease outbreak, in London, Britain, May 22, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville All international arrivals, including returning Britons, will have to self-isolate for 14 days and provide details of where they will be staying under the plans, which were criticised by airlines, business groups and politicians alike.
“Now we are past the peak of this virus, we must take steps to guard against imported cases triggering a resurgence of this deadly disease,” Patel said at a news conference. Those who breached the quarantine in England could be fined 1,000 pounds , and spot checks would be carried out by health and border officials. The quarantine will not apply to those arriving from the Irish Republic, nor to freight drivers, medical professionals and seasonal agricultural workers. The measures will be reviewed every 3 weeks. [nL8N2D44UM] Transport minister Grant Shapps has also suggested the government would seek to negotiate “air bridges” for travellers coming from countries with low virus infection rates. Unlike many other countries, Britain has carried out few tests and checks on visitors, with quarantine limited only to arrivals from China at the start of the outbreak.Spain and Italy have introduced rules that mean international arrivals must self-isolate for two weeks, while on Friday Ireland gave further details for its own quarantine proposals. [L8N2D44ZQ]The British Chambers of Commerce said the blanket quarantine was deeply concerning and could be avoided with strong safety measures. “This approach will damage international business and investor confidence at a time when it is vital to demonstrate that the UK can open for business safely,” BCC Director General Adam Marshall said. The opposition Labour Party supported the measures but said the government’s handling of UK arrivals had “lacked urgency, coherence and clarity from the outset”. Some members of Johnson’s Conservative party have also criticised the plan.They have said the measures would have severe repercussions, with Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s chief executive, saying they would be “unenforceable and unpoliceable.”Ryanair and easyJet have outlined plans to restart some flights in coming months. But under the quarantine plan, Virgin Atlantic will not restart until August at the earliest. “Introducing a quarantine at this stage makes no sense and will mean very limited international aviation at best,” said Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of industry body Airlines UK.Additional reporting by Estelle Shirbon, Guy Faulconbridge and Kate Holton; editing by Michael Holden and Stephen Addison
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