Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Testing: Border Force

Monday 12 July 2021 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Comprehensive guidance and training plans have been developed for Border Force staff on covid-19 testing exemptions.
  • The Minister is willing to investigate the specific case of RDI Trucking if provided with the necessary details.
  • Border Force aims to move exemption decisions away from the border to streamline the process for essential workers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Migrants & Borders
Context

The question arises from the need for Border Force staff to be adequately trained in handling exemptions related to coronavirus testing.

Question

What steps have been taken to ensure that Border Force staff are trained on exemptions from requirements for covid-19 testing?

Answer from Kevin Foster

Comprehensive guidance and training plans have been developed and are continually reviewed to ensure that all Border Force and frontline officers are trained in new policy, process and system changes relating to covid-19 border health measures, including those set by the devolved Administrations. That comprehensive guidance includes training and shift briefings.

Answered
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Q2 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Immigration
Context

RDI Trucking in Preesall, a logistics provider for Formula 1 and other racing industries, faces challenges applying exemptions from the requirement of negative tests prior to cross-border travel.

Question

RDI Trucking based in Preesall in my constituency provides international logistics for Formula 1 and other racing industries. Under coronavirus legislation, they are international transport workers. Therefore, as essential workers the legislation applies slightly differently to them, providing an exemption from the requirement for a negative test prior to cross-border travel. However, they have been having some issues in applying that. Will the Minister take the time to meet me and my constituent Baz Scott to discuss some of the issues he is facing in his industry?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I am certainly happy to look into that if the hon. Member provides the detail. She will appreciate that Border Force's first priority is to maintain our defences against covid-19. However, as part of our work, we are looking to move exemption decisions away from the border and to have more automatic checking. That is in everyone's interests, including those passengers who need to comply with the regulations and would otherwise be stood behind those trying to prove exemptions at the primary control point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific meeting request was not directly addressed

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