UK travel industry warns against 'nightmare' of quarantine

Britain’s travel industry has warned that a lengthy quarantine period for all people arriving in Britain from abroad would be a “nightmare” that would badly hurt a sector already in meltdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The prospect of a period of quarantine, being imposed “on people coming into this country by air”, was outlined by the prime minister in his Sunday night address. It sparked alarm from the travel industry and the aviation sector. The quarantine period is part of the government’s strategy to relax some of the lockdown measures that were introduced to slow the spread of coronavirus. Boris Johnson did not say when the quarantine requirements would take effect, or how long people would be required to isolate. However, there has been speculation it is likely to be 14 days. Steven Freudmann, chairman of the Institute of Travel and Tourism, said: “The travel industry is already in meltdown, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that a 14-day quarantine imposed on all overseas arrivals in the UK would have a devastating impact. “Who is going to book a city break in Paris or Barcelona or even a week on the Mediterranean, only to face a 14-day isolation period on their return? Which employers are going to grant a month’s holiday to those taking a two-week break? It’s a bad dream turning into a nightmare!” The aviation sector was first to sound the alarm at the prospect of a quarantine period over the weekend. Karen Dee, CE of the Airport Operators Association, said a quarantine would have a “devastating impact” on the UK aviation industry and on the wider economy.<br/>