Dashing hope of any rollback of the contentious 14-day mandatory quarantine for travellers entering the UK from Monday, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced details of the policy.
The Indian-origin Cabinet minister, while addressing the House of Commons, also ruled out any middle path by way of ‘air bridges’ with preferred nations and told that the two-week quarantine will apply to all travellers till the policy is again reviewed on June 28.
The minister was at pains to explain that the new measures are meant to prevent new cases being brought from abroad and to safeguard against the second wave. The move has been criticised by the members of her own party too.
Patel said in the House, “We are in a national health emergency right now. This isn't about the inconvenience of certain regulations and measures – we are here to make sure we protect public health first and foremost."
Under the quarantine scheme, exemptions have been granted to road hauliers and medical officials as well as to the common travel area with Ireland and the Channel Islands. However, contrary to the expectations, arrivals from France will not be exempt.
Under the procedure, the persons entering the UK will be asked to fill up a form giving out their contact details which will enable the health officials to check on them if they have been complying with the 14-day isolation or not.
Those international arrivals worried over place to self-isolate themselves will be provided help by the UK government in finding an accommodation at traveller’s cost.
If anyone fails to comply with the norms, there are stiff penalty provisions as a counter measure. Violators face enforcement action and any failure to follow self-isolation may incur 1,000 pounds fixed penalty.
That is not all. If a person still flouts these norms, there is provision of removing that individual from Britain as a last resort.
Patel said, “Protecting the public's health and avoiding a second peak that overwhelms the NHS (National Health Service) will always be our top priority. As we get the virus under control here, we must manage the risk of cases being imported from abroad. We owe it to the thousands who've lost their lives not to throw away our progress.”
Britain is not alone with countries like New Zealand, South Africa, South Korea, Spain and the US are already requiring an arrival to go through a 14-day mandatory quarantine. These rules have been placed by various countries despite the World Health Organization (WHO) saying in February that measures that interfere significantly with international travel may only be justified at the beginning of an outbreak.
The move has already invited severe criticism from the travel and hospitality industry with boss of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, describing it as idiotic and unimplementable while the Airlines UK trade body has said the move will “effectively kill” international travel to and from Britain.
