Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Quarantine

Monday 8 June 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Home Secretary discussed quarantine measures for people entering the UK with Cabinet colleagues.
  • The 14-day quarantine requirement is based on public health guidance and scientific advice.
  • Home Secretary stated that Government is considering air bridges and fast testing systems.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rushanara Ali Lab Poplar and Canning Town
Immigration NHS
Context

The UK Government is implementing new public health measures at the border in response to the pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions has the Home Secretary had with Cabinet colleagues on quarantining people entering the UK during the covid-19 pandemic?

Answer from Priti Patel (The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP)

As set out in my statement last week, public health measures at the border have been developed across Government with Cabinet Office Minister, Secretaries for Transport, Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Health & Social Care. These policies are informed by science and industry advice.

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Q2 Rushanara Ali Lab Poplar and Canning Town
NHS
Context

Concerns raised about the effectiveness of the Government's approach to quarantining people entering the UK.

Question

What steps will she take to ensure a 48-hour fast-track system can be implemented, instead of the current 14-day requirement?

Answer from Priti Patel (The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP)

This is a Government policy guided by health regulations and scientific advice from SAGE. The 14-day measure is based on public health guidance, not my personal plan. We are also considering air bridges, fast testing, immunity passports for targeted measures.

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Q3 Conor McGinn Lab St Helens North
Immigration NHS
Context

Criticism of the Government's approach to border control and quarantine during the pandemic.

Question

Can she explain how her plan is better than a 48-hour testing-led model proposed by others, given criticism from scientists and industry?

Answer from Priti Patel (The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP)

This is not solely my plan but a Government approach informed by medical and scientific advice. We have worked across Departments to identify appropriate border measures, addressing economic impacts through roundtables with the transport sector.

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Q4 Ben Bradshaw Lab Exeter
NHS
Context

Request for transparency and scientific backing of Government's border policy.

Question

Will the Home Secretary publish today the advice from SAGE that led to this policy decision, given claims that it is not backed by science?

Answer from Priti Patel (The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP)

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to my comments last week regarding Home Office's own scientific adviser's advice, which will be published.

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