Scientist calls quarantine policy ‘lax’ as ministers consider new measures
A leading epidemiologist has criticised the UK government’s “pretty lax” approach to quarantining foreign arrivals and contacts of coronavirus cases, as ministers pledged to “beef up” checks.
Professor John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said that if there is a quarantine policy it should be made “as effective as you possibly can”.
A Sunday newspaper claimed that ministers were considering introducing quarantine hotels and using technology to ensure people isolate, amid concern over new strains of coronavirus arriving from overseas.
Foreign Secretary Dominic
Raab said the government would “consider all the measures in the round”.
But Prof Edmunds said in a radio interview: “If you’re going to have quarantine then you should probably make it as effective as you possibly can.
“Ours has been rather lax, not just for visitors coming into the UK, but we’ve also been rather lax with our quarantine of individuals who have been in direct contact with a case. We just ask them to stay at home and so I think yes, if we ’re going to have quarantine we should try and make it work as best as possible.”
Mr Raab told Sky’ s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “We are going to be strengthening the checks at the border so when people come in to make sure they have filled out the passenger location form, they have got that negative test before they get on the flight.
“Also, we’re making sure that Public Health England checks to make sure people are adhering to those [self-isolation] rules.”