Not one quarantine fine yet as rules set to ease

BRITAIN’S quarantine policy is set to be relaxed at the beginning of next month as it emerged that officials have yet to fine a single person for breaking the rules.

An estimated 100,000 passengers have arrived in the country by air, rail and sea since the controversial scheme was introduced almost two weeks ago.

Home Secretary Priti Patel promised rigorous enforcement would help control the spread of the virus. Yet officials have yet to catch a single person, either for failing to provide contact details or for breaching their 14-day self-isolation.

The Home Office said there had been ‘a high level of compliance’.

As Government sources revealed quarantine-free travel corridors between the UK and a number of European countries are likely to come in force on July 4, MPs and business leaders described the quarantine policy as a failure.

Paul Charles, from the Quash Quarantine group of more than 400 businesses, said: ‘The sooner it is removed the better. It is unenforceable and highly unworkable.’

Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said: ‘The fact that not a single fine has been issued shows the futility and waste of this policy.’

It has so far contributed to a £44billion hit on the economy, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Quarantine is due to be reviewed on June 29. Sources say the blanket restrictions are unlikely to be renewed and ministers hope to announce travel corridors potentially by the end of next week.