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UK airlines say they have been told the government will bring in a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in the UK from any country apart from the Republic of Ireland in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The new restriction is expected to take effect at the end of this month.
Industry body Airlines UK said the policy needed “a credible exit plan” and should be reviewed weekly.
People arriving in the UK would have to self-isolate at a private residence.
Government and aviation sources told BBC News that the quarantine would mean people might be expected to provide an address when they arrive at the border.
It is not clear how long the new travel restriction would be in place and whether non-UK residents would be allowed to stay in rented private accommodation.
“We need to see the details of what they are proposing”, said Airlines UK, which represents British Airways, EasyJet and other UK-based airlines, in a statement.
Aviation minister Kelly Tolhurst is expected to clarify the policy to airline and airport representatives in a conference call scheduled for Saturday morning.
UK airports suggested that a quarantine “would not only have a devastating impact on the UK aviation industry, but also on the wider economy”.
Karen Dee from the Airport Operators Association, which represents most UK airports, said the measure should be applied “on a selective basis following the science” and “the economic impact on key sectors should be mitigated”.
BBC News understands that key workers such as lorry drivers who transport goods and people working in the shipping industry would be exempt.
Last Sunday, Andrew Marr asked the transport secretary whether the UK would introduce a quarantine on people arriving in the UK.
Grant Shapps said he was “actively looking at these issues, right now, so that when we have infection rates within the country under control we’re not importing.”
He said it was important “that we do ensure that the sacrifices, in a sense, social distancing, that we’re asking the British people to make are matched by anyone who comes to this country”.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. The focus remains on staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives. ”
If a quarantine is needed now, some will question why it was not necessary weeks ago.
Tens of thousands of people have flown into the UK during the pandemic, although the government says the vast majority were returning home.
In other developments:
- The BBC understands Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will encourage the public to continue to work from home if they can, while those who need to travel will be encouraged to walk or cycle
- A further 626 coronavirus deaths were confirmed on Friday, taking the UK total to 31,241
- The environment secretary says the public has to be “realistic” about easing lockdown restrictions
- Young men are more likely than young women to break lockdown rules, psychologists suggest
- Up to 2,000 UK seafarers are stranded on ships around the world because of coronavirus lockdowns, the industry’s trade body tells the BBC
