Infected migrants ‘inevitably entering UK’

ILLEGAL migrants could carry coronavirus into the UK because they are not being routinely tested or put into quarantine, according to the union for border officials.

Lucy Moreton, the general secretary of the ISU, the union for borders, immigration and customs, said it was “almost inevitable” that infected migrants were being released by Border Force, having been found in small boats or hidden in the back of lorries. The warning comes amid a reported surge in illegal migrants crossing the Channel after French police scaled back their protection of the coast to divert officers to patrol the country’s coronavirus lockdown.

Ms Moreton said officers called in paramedics if they picked up migrants with suspected coronavirus symptoms. But those found in boats crossing the Channel often look unwell, and “we don’t want to be calling an ambulance for every single migrant”, she said.

She added: “We can’t detain anybody against their will where we don’t have a realistic prospect of removal.

“They don’t predominantly speak the language, have limited networks here to assist them and we simply send them off. Even if we could tell them about self-isolating they have no means to achieve it.

“It’s almost inevitable that we are releasing individuals who are early stage symptomatic or are shedding the virus and are not symptomatic.”

Natalie Elphicke, the MP for Dover and Deal, has called for illegal migrants to be put into quarantine for a fortnight on arrival in the UK as a measure to protect Britons.

Ms Moreton said such a move “could be done” but suitable accommodation would need to be found.