By Angus Cochrane Multimedia Journalist
DOWNING Street is “finally” working on a plan to force people arriving at UK airports to quarantine for 14 days.
According to The Sunday Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday, Westminster government officials are drawing up a Singapore-style plan which could be introduced by next month at the earliest.
Travellers entering the UK via airports and ports will have to quarantine for two weeks under the proposals.
Currently those landing in UK airports, including citizens being repatriated during the pandemic, are not tested for the virus before heading home.
Joanna Cherry initially flagged up the issue with Home Secretary Priti Patel on April 11. She wrote to the Tory minister again last week after no action was taken.
READ MORE: Joanna Cherry urges Priti Patel to start testing at airports
The SNP MP has now welcomed reports that Number 10 is now taking action.
She tweeted: “Pleased to see the U.K. Govt are finally planning to introduce the health checks & quarantine measures for travellers to UK as per my proposals to Home Secretary & which other countries have had in place for weeks #COVID19”
According to The Sunday Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday, the new measures could be rolled out as the UK Government roles out its “track and trace” scheme to identify and isolate new infections.
Those caught breaching the quarantine rules will reportedly be handed large fines.
A Government source told the Telegraph: “A stringent, Singapore-style approach at our ports will help the UK manage the risk of travellers entering the country and reduce the possibility of a second peak.
“We are looking at deploying these measures at the right time, in line with the scientific advice and when community transmission has been significantly reduced.
“More than 15,000 people arrive in the UK each day from virus-hit countries.
source : /https://www.thenational.scot/news/18406322.uk-finally-considers-quarantine-people-arriving-airports/