English UK joins tourism stakeholders to propose risk-based approach to quarantine measures

English UK and key representatives of the business and tourism industries have written to the Prime Minister, proposing the idea of 'air bridges' as an alternative to the blanket quarantining of all UK arrivals.

The letter, signed by industry stakeholders including Airlines UK, Tourism Alliance, BETA, UK Inbound and London First, asks the Government to "immediately look towards a more targeted, risk-based approach to screening of passengers" arriving in the UK.

Under this proposal, arrivals from destinations that share common health standards and/or low rates of Covid transmission would not need to self-isolate. Such a targeted approach would preserve public health while allowing the re-establishment of air routes, international tourism and business supply chains with low-risk countries, and would spearhead the recovery of UK trade including the ELT sector.

As other countries make plans to reopen borders to low-risk countries, there is increasing concern that the UK could be pushed "to the back of the queue as states begin conversations for opening up their borders."

The 14 self-isolation rule for arrivals, which comes into place on Monday 8 June 2020 and will last until at least Monday 29 June 2020, applies to arrivals from all countries regardless of their current risk level. Only arrivals from Ireland are exempt.

• Read the letter to the Prime Minister in full
• Read the story as reported by BBC News: UK must agree 'air bridges', warn business groups