MP’s view on quarantine rules for travellers as summer holidays hang in the balance

Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East MP Stuart McDonald has been talking about his views on the new rules which come in force today (Monday) - regarding a two week holiday quarantine period for holidaymakers returning to the UK.

The Scottish Nationalist said: “The absolute priority is to continue to do what we need to do to tackle coronavirus and save lives; and if the medical evidence suggests quarantine measures are important, then that is what should happen.

“And all the evidence I’ve seen and heard – including at the Home Affairs Committee – is that it can make a significant difference if done properly.

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“However, I am utterly perplexed as to how the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has handled this. For months at the height of the crisis, there were no quarantine measures in place – unlike in the overwhelming majority of countries. Many thousands of people were allowed to arrive into the UK without any testing or quarantine requirement, regardless of where they were coming from. New measures were announced at the beginning of May, yet are only due to come into force now. The timing seems to make very little sense.

“Hopefully, some holidays may still be able to go ahead if we have so-called ‘travel corridors’ with certain countries at a similar stage of outbreak, meaning no quarantine is necessary.

“And hopefully those that cannot go ahead will be protected financially because of the foreign office advice against international travel.

“The Government needs to think carefully to ensure both customers and companies are protected financially.”

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