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The measure, which, subject to certain reservations, applies to both residents and visitors, is aimed at preventing a second wave of diseases that could trigger imported infections.
But critics wonder why Britain, where the number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 in the past two weeks has been recorded. population was the second largest in Europe, further complicating the work of hotels and airlines by restricting travel from countries less affected by the pandemic.
British Airways and low-cost airlines EasyJet and Ryanair have sued the government for what they consider a “disproportionate and unfair” move.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, meanwhile, said the new rules made sense because “the proportion of infections coming from abroad is increasing” and the number of infections detected in Britain is decreasing.
“We have to take a precautionary approach,” he told Sky News.
To reach the UK by plane, train, road or sea, travelers must provide details of their journey and the address where they intend to isolate themselves.
The details of the implementation of such quarantine will vary from area to area in the UK, and the adequacy of the measures will be assessed every three weeks.
Exceptions are made in various cases, such as truck drivers, “essential” health professionals and people from Ireland who have been there for at least two weeks.
English officials will carry out on-the-spot checks and criminals could face fines or prosecution of £ 1,000 (€ 1,125).
Hopes for “travel brokers”
Home Secretary Priti Patel told skeptical parliamentarians last week that the new measure was “supported by scientists, supported by the public; lives need to be saved.”
The British government is currently gradually decreasing quarantine: retail outlets are slated to open on June 15, and restaurants and bars will resume operations on a limited basis from early July.
However, the heavily affected hotel sector relies heavily on tourists, and business leaders fear that quarantine means losing most of the summer season.
Quarantine for travelers in the UK is being introduced after Italy, badly affected, has opened its borders and followed the example of other European countries.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government is trying to agree “travel corridors” with countries like France and Spain so that the quarantine requirement for its citizens can be lifted.
However, officials are said to be promising deals at the end of June, and the airlines they claim claim they can’t wait that long.
“These measures are disproportionate and unfair to British citizens as well as visitors to the United Kingdom from other countries,” the airlines said in a joint statement.
According to them, the quarantine “will have a devastating effect on the UK tourism industry and destroy thousands of jobs during this unprecedented crisis.”
To date, 40,542 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in the country; more of them are only in the United States.
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