‘Critical errors’ made by government

The Commons home affairs committee listed a string of failings and made a series of recommendations:

Too slow

The government was “slow to recognise the increased risk of the disease spreading from other European countries, and it was a mistake particularly not to include Spain on the list for early self-isolation measures. With stronger early measures it is likely that the spread of infection would have been slowed”, the committee said.

Decision-making

The government’s decision to lift the self-isolation guidance for specific countries on 13 March and to begin a period of three months where no border measures were in place to counteract the spread of Covid-19 was “inexplicable”, the report said.

Secrecy

The committee said it was “very critical” of the lack of transparency over government border decisions. It raised concerns about the scientific advice being provided and said ministers appeared to make decisions without “critical information” being available.

Travel corridors

While supportive of the introduction of travel corridors, the committee urged the government to publish the information on which it bases its decisions.

Enforcement

The committee said it was “unconvinced” by Home Office estimates that the compliance rate for quarantine was 99.9 per cent. Home Secretary Priti Patel previously told the committee that compliance with the measures was “incredibly high”.

But the report said the findings needed to be “better evidenced”.

Testing

The government should investigate the viability of widespread or targeted testing at the border which is in place in countries like Iceland, Hong Kong and South Korea, the committee recommended.