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Quarantine rules a 'killer blow' for travel sector | Quarantine rules a 'killer blow' for travel sector |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The boss of the UK's biggest airport services company Swissport has warned quarantine rules could deliver a "killer blow" to the travel sector. | |
From 8 June all passengers arriving in the UK must self-isolate for 14 days. | |
Swissport chief executive Jason Holt said the plan would deter people from travelling and put ground staff jobs at risk as a result. | |
Meanwhile Ryanair's boss Michael O'Leary said it would "significantly reduce European visitors". | |
Mr O'Leary said most countries in Europe have a lower rate of coronavirus than the UK. | |
At a time when "Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal are removing visitor restrictions, the UK is imposing them," he told the BBC. | |
Swissport's Mr Holt questioned why the rules were being put in place now. | |
Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, he said: "If it's so important and it's so relevant to the virus, and we all want the country to be safe, why wasn't this done in March? That's why everybody's quite confused on this." | Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, he said: "If it's so important and it's so relevant to the virus, and we all want the country to be safe, why wasn't this done in March? That's why everybody's quite confused on this." |
More than 200 travel companies have written to the government asking for the new rules to be scrapped, while some MPs have also raised concerns. | More than 200 travel companies have written to the government asking for the new rules to be scrapped, while some MPs have also raised concerns. |
But the government says the quarantine period is a "proportionate and time-limited approach'' to protect public health. | But the government says the quarantine period is a "proportionate and time-limited approach'' to protect public health. |
On Wednesday, Home Secretary Priti Patel told Parliament imported coronavirus cases now ''pose a more significant threat''. | On Wednesday, Home Secretary Priti Patel told Parliament imported coronavirus cases now ''pose a more significant threat''. |
"We are past the peak but we are now more vulnerable to infections being brought in from abroad," she said. | "We are past the peak but we are now more vulnerable to infections being brought in from abroad," she said. |
'Irredeemable damage' | |
Swissport which earned more than €3bn in revenue in 2019 (£2.8bn) has furloughed most of its 6000 UK staff. Mr Holt said they will remain on the Job Retention Scheme until the government's future travel policies became clear. | Swissport which earned more than €3bn in revenue in 2019 (£2.8bn) has furloughed most of its 6000 UK staff. Mr Holt said they will remain on the Job Retention Scheme until the government's future travel policies became clear. |
He said Swissport had lobbied the government to avoid introducing quarantine, but the company is now hoping the rules will only be in place for short time. | He said Swissport had lobbied the government to avoid introducing quarantine, but the company is now hoping the rules will only be in place for short time. |
"We're really hoping no more than three weeks," he said. If it goes beyond that it could do "irredeemable damage to the sector". | "We're really hoping no more than three weeks," he said. If it goes beyond that it could do "irredeemable damage to the sector". |
From Sunday, all passengers arriving in the UK by plane, ferry or train will have to provide an address where they will remain for 14 days. | From Sunday, all passengers arriving in the UK by plane, ferry or train will have to provide an address where they will remain for 14 days. |
Surprise visits will be used to check they are following the quarantine rules. Those in England could be fined up to £1,000 if they are not at home. | Surprise visits will be used to check they are following the quarantine rules. Those in England could be fined up to £1,000 if they are not at home. |