Chamber responds to air passenger quarantine

Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced a raft of new measures at the UK border to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections from taking hold.

They include 14 days’ self-isolation for all air passengers arriving in the UK, with a short list of exemptions.

Anyone failing to comply with the mandatory conditions may face enforcement action, including a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for anyone breaching the self-isolation rule.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: "The aviation sector in general, and airports in particular, have been hit hard by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, so the decision to impose a blanket quarantine for international arrivals is deeply concerning.

“This approach could be damaging to international trade relations and investor confidence at a time when we should be demonstrating to the world that the UK is still open for business. Co-ordinated checking at departure and arrival airports, along with robust safety measures, would lessen the need for a wholesale quarantine.

“With the first signs of the devastating economic impacts that Covid-19 is having becoming apparent, it’s vital that focus turns to safely restarting the economy and re-establishing transport links to key international markets so that businesses can start building a recovery that’s swift and sustainable.

“The longer lockdown goes on, the more strain it will place on the UK’s long-term health, economic and social outcomes, so we need to see what the Government’s detailed plan to reopen the UK for business looks like as quickly as possible.”