COVID-19: 14-day quarantine rule for inbound UK travellers comes into force

compulsory 14-day quarantine for inbound travellers came into force in UK on June 8 amid strong objection and protests from airline industry. sector has already been reeling due to travel restrictions imposed as a part of COVID-19 response and mandatory quarantine could furr hit industry as tourists won’t prefer 14-days quarantine.

British Airways released a joint statement along with Ryanair and EasyJet urging government to rethink measures. Calling measures disproportionate, airline companies said that it is unfair on British citizens as well as international visitors arriving in UK.

"We urge UK govt to remove this ineffective visitor quarantine which will have a devastating effect on UK's tourism industry and will destroy (even more) thousands of jobs in this unprecedented crisis," statement read.

British Airways sent a pre-action letter to ministers on June 5 and started legal proceedings against government order. However, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has maintained that mandatory quarantine is backed by science and is essential to save lives. While ackwledging difficulties of tourism industry, Patel said that government has anunced an unprecedented pack of support for both employees and businesses.

“But we will all suffer if we get this wrong. That's why it's crucial that we introduce se measures w,” she said.

Read: COVID-19: British Airways Could Suspend 36,000 Employees As Aviation Sector Hit Hard

Smaller market woes

airline industry is already going through an unprecedented crisis which has forced companies to shrink fleet and anunce lay-offs. Last month, easyJet anunced its plan to lay off 4,500 employees and shrink its fleet to cut down expenditure, aimed at adjusting to smaller market post-pandemic.

Boeing’s chief executive recently said that air traffic may t bounce back for two or three years to pre-pandemic levels. Speaking at an annual meeting, Boeing CEO David Calhoun presented a sober outlook of aviation industry and predicted that it could take three to five years to restore company’s dividend.

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(With PTI inputs)