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Covid-19: UK Border Health Measures
03 June 2020
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyBusiness & Trade
Other Contributors: 61
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about covid-19: uk border health measures in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The statement outlines the introduction of new public health measures at the UK borders from 8 June, including mandatory self-isolation for 14 days and a contact locator form to be filled out by all arrivals. The measures aim to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections, with exemptions for essential services and supply chains. These regulations will help limit the spread of infection while protecting public health and supporting economic recovery.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The Government are taking a proportionate and time-limited approach to protect the health of the British public by introducing new measures at borders. These include mandatory self-isolation for travellers, filling out a contact locator form upon arrival, and spot checks by Border Force officers. Data collected will be used by Public Health England to ensure compliance with rules and penalties for breaches. The programme aims to work alongside test and trace efforts.
Torfaen
Thanked the Home Secretary for her statement and expressed concerns over the timing and necessity of quarantine measures. Questioned why only a few individuals were quarantined from high-risk areas while millions entered the country, and asked for full publication of scientific advice used in decision-making. Highlighted the lack of urgency and coherence in handling arrivals to the UK. Criticised the delay in taking action since May when the Prime Minister gave notice of quarantine measures. Raised concerns over Border Force staff resources and protection needs. Emphasised the need for a comprehensive economic package and support for industries affected by these measures.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Responded to questions about the timing of quarantine measures, emphasising that they were based on scientific advice. Provided specific dates for when enhanced monitoring policies were introduced for high-risk areas. Stated that border restrictions would have been marginal during significant domestic transmission and now are necessary as local cases decrease. Reassured Border Force staff had adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and praised their efforts throughout the crisis. Assured a comprehensive approach to support travel, tourism, and aviation industries.
Asked for clarification on how quarantine measures would impact businesses reliant on hospitality sectors such as Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics industry.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Reassured Jonathan Gullis that the UK border remains open for goods and exports, ensuring global Britain’s continuity. Stated that businesses will continue to be at the forefront of international trade.
Praised the Home Secretary's statement but raised concerns over the effectiveness of quarantine measures based on timing and accuracy. Highlighted that most countries introduced border health measures earlier in the pandemic, questioning why the UK did not follow suit. Called for full publication of SAGE advice to address these concerns. Asked about the duration of the proposed quarantine measures and their effectiveness if watered down. Requested engagement with Scottish Government before implementing changes.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Emphasised that public health measures were taken early and safely, including triaging symptomatic travellers from high-risk areas. Stated these measures are part of a wider package of regulations in Parliament to reduce the R value and protect public health.
Steve Brine
14:01:00
Asked if the Government would consider travel gates based on science, blocking incoming travellers from certain countries with high-risk cases, as a more targeted approach to screening passengers.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Asked for the publication of scientific evidence behind decisions made during March 2020, specifically related to triage measures at borders and estimates of incoming passengers with coronavirus.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Challenged the Home Secretary's clarity on measures brought in, asserting that more details were needed regarding scientific advice and estimated numbers of incoming infected passengers.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
Proposed a move from a 14-day quarantine to a precise, targeted approach based on science and international safety standards, aiming to protect the public while enabling aviation industry recovery.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Questioned the Home Secretary about the scientific advice given earlier in the pandemic regarding border measures, highlighting the significance of 'little differences' in saving lives. Asked if this advice came from SAGE.
Asked about discussions with Welsh Government and rural police forces to ensure effective enforcement of self-isolation period for those arriving in the UK.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Called for prioritisation of difficult cases involving international families separated due to travel restrictions, highlighting specific case of a constituent's son living in Germany.
Urged the Home Secretary to suspend blanket quarantine requirements temporarily to allow time for safe air corridors establishment, aiming to save jobs and enable summer breaks abroad.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
It is not my intention to destroy any sectors of our country or economy. That is a gross distortion of my comments and remarks. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the comments I have already made on the scientific advice.
Liam Fox
Con
Wealden
I am afraid I simply cannot get my head around the public health mental gymnastics of this policy. If such a barrier is required, why was it not introduced earlier in the outbreak and if it is a contingency measure against a so-called second wave, why apply it to countries with a lower infection rate than we already have? Surely, the answer lies in the Government’s test and trace system, rather than unnecessary economic isolation.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
I thank my right hon. Friend for his point about transit passengers and future travel corridors—I am sure we will all agree on a term to use in the future. The fact of the matter is, from a Home Office perspective, that we have created the contact locator form. It is that data that will be instrumental in giving people that safe passage and the clearance to transit on to other locations.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
At a time when most European countries are in a much improved condition compared with the UK, the concern of communities in constituencies such as mine is transition by travellers within and between the nations of the UK. I have spoken to the police, representatives of the tourism industry in north Wales and local community leaders, and we all want our attractions and accommodation to open as soon as possible, so we need to be able to provide every assurance to vulnerable residents and their families anxious about the risks implicit in thousands—I emphasise, thousands—of people arriving in their communities the day after internal holiday travel restrictions are lifted in the UK. Will the Home Secretary come back to the House to explain what steps she is taking to ensure that holidays at home are safe for everyone?
Rosie Winterton
Lab
Doncaster Central
Order. If we are to get everybody in, we need very short questions and short answers.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
First, let me pay tribute to the police across the country for their approach to enforcement and encouraging people on socially distancing. I am well aware, across the four nations but particularly in Wales, of the great work that has taken place.
Peter Gibson
Con
Richmond Park
More than 90% of countries have deployed a form of quarantine so far. Does my right hon. Friend believe that the measures she has outlined today are being taken by the rest of the world and are consistent and vital to keeping our citizens safe?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
I thank my hon. Friend for the point and his question. There is a reflection here, in that other countries have introduced measures at the border, whether self-isolation—much of this is self-isolation—or other measures, on the basis of protecting their domestic population from the imported spreading of the virus.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom with a land border and is therefore literally on the frontline. Can the Home Secretary tell us more about the discussions and talks with the Northern Ireland Assembly that she referred to? How does she believe she can marry the health measures at our ports and airports with those in neighbouring Republic of Ireland to ensure the viability of our ports and airports for trade and tourism as well as safety and wisdom?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He is absolutely right. When it comes to trade and keeping passenger flows going, we have been working with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Graham Brady
Con
Altrincham and Sale West
Hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost if the airlines are unable to fly their crucial peak summer schedules, but the airlines are making those decisions now. Will my right hon. Friend undertake to make sure that we have clear criteria for air corridors and the first list of safe countries well before the three-week review on 29 June?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
I am very familiar with my hon. Friend’s regional airport and the operators there, and I can assure him that my right hon. Friend the Transport Secretary will be leading on this issue.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
The horse has bolted. I do not understand why the Secretary of State does not get this. She will not be able to screen people at ports, she cannot track them when they leave the airports, she cannot enforce quarantine when people get to their homes and she cannot even ensure that those who might be covid positive are not using public transport to get from the ports to their homes, so she will not be protecting anybody. Can she name a single country in Europe that has a higher infection rate than the UK?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
I refer the hon. Gentleman to my statement and the reason why these measures are coming in. I recognise from the tone of his question that he fundamentally disagrees with the Government’s position and the approach we have taken collectively.
Henry Smith
Con
Crawley
What advice did the Home Secretary receive from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies about introducing these quarantine measures? Will she also look to review them more regularly—weekly, I would suggest, rather than three-weekly?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
As I explained in my statement, the advice has been provided consistently both to the Home Office and other Departments. As I have outlined, there will be a three-week review period, but the review will be aligned with the other health reviews that are taking place, based on protecting the public.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Before I ask my question, I put on record that my wife works as a contractor for an international travel company. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that these health measures will be time-limited, will remain proportional to the threat facing our country and will be altered when we can be sure that that will not jeopardise the health of UK citizens?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As I have said, these measures will be reviewed and aligned with the other health measures being brought in.
John Spellar
Lab
Warley
Just now we had a junior Transport Minister, subbing for the Chancellor, wringing her hands about the aviation industry, but the Home Secretary has just thrown her, the industry and its workers under the bus, and at the same time put up a massive “Britain is closed” sign. At the very least, will she demand from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that he extends the furlough scheme to try to avert hundreds of thousands of workers being thrown on the dole in the next few weeks?
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
First of all, I find the right hon. Gentleman’s tone somewhat objectionable. I have been incredibly supportive of the aviation industry.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The Home Secretary restates that the quarantine measures are cross-Government initiatives to protect public health. She emphasises the importance of working with aviation and travel sectors to innovate and ensure safe passenger transport. Despite opposition, she maintains that these measures will stay in place until the public health situation improves.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
She questions whether the Home Secretary would reconsider regulations if rapid testing methods are developed and implemented by the aviation industry to ensure passenger safety.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
She challenges the scientific basis for introducing a blanket 14-day quarantine at a time when other countries are easing restrictions. She questions why the UK's approach diverges from that of its neighbours.
She asks for reassurance regarding health checks for migrants entering through beaches, particularly those not returned to France after illegal crossings. The Home Secretary confirms returns to France and self-isolation measures apply.
He seeks assurances that the policy will support constituents in Bracknell whose livelihoods depend on aviation and requests a pragmatic application of the policy with a view to lifting it at the first opportunity.
She asks the Home Secretary to consider that ferries offer a covid-secure option compared to aeroplanes and highlights the importance of Dover-Calais ferry services for local jobs and livelihoods.
He inquires about discussions with the Chancellor regarding mitigating impacts on the aviation industry and supports efforts to rebuild the economy through sustainable roles for the sector.
He expresses understanding of constituents' views but asks for a flexible approach to quarantine measures with the aim of relaxing them at the nearest opportunity if deemed safe.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
She questions the scientific basis and estimated numbers within exempted categories, seeking clarity on potential transmission risks from these groups.
North Cotswolds
He requests urgent review of establishing air bridges with countries where infection rates are lower than the UK's to support travel and tourism businesses affected by quarantine measures.
South Shields
She questions whether delayed action on quarantine measures has contributed to the high coronavirus death rate in the UK, despite earlier border monitoring measures.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
He asks who will be the accountable Minister for putting in place agreements with safe countries, highlighting the need for designated testing and travel protocols.
He highlights the disproportionate impact on tourist economies in rural areas and seeks specific conversations between the Home Secretary and Chancellor regarding extending furlough support and issuing grants to help affected sectors survive.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Discussed regular discussions with the Chancellor regarding economic aspects and confirmed that the review of policy has been outlined in a statement. Acknowledged past criticism about timing but emphasised the need to protect British public from a second wave through new health measures at borders, which will limit the possibility of a second wave and keep citizens safe.
Desmond Swayne
Con
New Forest West
Asked whether the review of policy could be brought forward by 10 days to limit a second wave of economic damage.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Questioned the Home Secretary about introducing public health measures at borders earlier and inquired whether SAGE was consulted on and recommended the new measures announced.
Chris Elmore
Lab
Bridgend
Asked for immediate guidance regarding use of public transport or family collection from Heathrow airport, as constituents need to know now rather than later.
Inquired about potential exemptions for key workers returning from abroad to support British businesses and critical infrastructure projects.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Asked whether those exempted from quarantine would still be tested for coronavirus upon arrival at UK border, and if they test positive, what actions are required.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Requested clarity over the status of returning holidaymakers in terms of whether businesses should absorb costs or employees take holidays out of annual leave.
Asked about the specific economic impact assessment made on the effect of the policy on the aerospace sector and aviation industry, including hospitality and tourism.
Sought assurance that workers for key projects such as constructing the Anglo-American Sirius mine in North Yorkshire would be exempt from quarantine.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Highlighted how essential medical and care professionals are to the UK, questioning whether a fairer immigration policy will replace current rules.
Asked if Members of Parliament would be on the list of exempt professions from travel restrictions.
Stephen Doughty
Lab Co-op
Cardiff South and Penarth
Pressed for details about early measures regarding virus imports, criticising failure to act earlier when it could have made a difference. Asked whether SAGE first discussed quarantine restrictions on 3 February.
Bury South
Inquired if the Government had followed science correctly earlier and currently in terms of quarantine measures for travellers.
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