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UK airlines say the government has told them it will bring a 14-day quarantine for people arriving from any country other than Ireland.
The new restriction is expected to take effect later this month.
Industry body Airlines UK says the policy needs “a credible exit plan” and should be reviewed weekly.
The UK warned that a 14-day quarantine period for all travelers coming to Britain would have a devastating impact on both the UK aviation industry and the economy as a whole.
The UK government will reportedly announce mandatory quarantine as part of measures aimed at preventing a second peak of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Times said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make the announcement in a speech to the nation on Sunday, but there is confusion over the details, and industry experts call for a “credible” and “clear” exit plan. “
Under the measures, which are expected to be implemented within weeks, all passengers arriving at airports and ports will be required to provide an address where they will immediately isolate themselves for 14 days.
The newspaper reports that “authorities will carry out random checks,” with penalties for those who do not comply with the rules, including “fines of up to £ 1,000” and deportation.
Quarantine would not only have a devastating impact on the UK aviation industry, but on the economy as a whole
Airlines UK said it had been informed directly by the UK government about the plan, adding that they were informed that it will be effective by the end of the month or early June.
A spokesperson for Airlines UK said: “We need to see the details of what they are proposing.
“We will request assurances that this decision has been led by science and that the government has a credible exit plan, with weekly reviews to ensure that the restrictions work and are still necessary.”
However, the executive director of the Association of Airport Operators (AOA), Karen Dee, said she has not yet received details about the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
Ms Dee said: “The quarantine would not only have a devastating impact on the UK aviation industry, but also on the economy as a whole.
“If the government believes quarantine is medically necessary, then science should be applied selectively, there should be a clear exit strategy, and the economic impact in key sectors should be mitigated.
“The Government should commit to a weekly review of the quarantine measures and publish the evidence that informs the result of the review.
Make no mistake, a 14-day quarantine period for passengers arriving in the UK would cause immeasurable harm to the aviation industry. See our statement here: https://t.co/4oFJIgr2jX
– UK Airlines (@airlines_UK) April 27, 2020
“If quarantine is a necessary tool to fight Covid-19, then the government should act decisively to protect the hundreds of thousands of airport and travel related jobs across the UK.
“These measures should include providing immediate relief from commercial rates to airports and related service providers, as well as relief from Civil Aviation Authority charges for the entire aviation sector.”
A spokeswoman for the UK Home Office told the AP news agency: “We do not comment on leaks. The goal remains to stay home to protect the NHS and save lives. “
The Times reported that travelers to Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will be exempt from quarantine.
The ISU union, which represents border, immigration and customs personnel, asked for clarity on the plans.
ISU professional officer Lucy Moreton said there is a discrepancy as to whether it will apply only to airline passengers or will also include people arriving by boat.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today show, he said: “What are we going to do about irregular migrants who don’t have a private home to isolate themselves?”
Apparently frustrated by the lack of concrete information, she added: “I hope someone will come to tell the staff at some point.”
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