UK Airlines to Sue Government Over COVID-19 Quarantines for Travellers

The largest airlines in the U.K. have sued the government over its new quarantine policy.

Anyone traveling to the U.K. must now quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. The coronavirus quarantine policy states that all passengers, including U.K. nationals, arriving on a plane, train or ferry must provide an address where they will be self-isolated for two weeks after arrival.

Any traveller that refuses to provide an address where they will self-isolate will be subject to a £100 fine, and surprise visits will be used to check the whereabouts of self-quarantiners. Any traveller found not following the coronavirus quarantine rules will be fined up to £1000. 

The self-isolation quarantine policy guidelines include staying in one place for 14 days, avoiding work or public areas, grocery shopping or dog walking, according to the U.K. government. Purchasing necessities like food and medicine should be delivered if possible, but are allowed only in special circumstances.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the coronavirus quarantine has been put into place to protect public health now that coronavirus cases imported into the country “pose a more significant threat,” according to BCC News.

Airlines have been hit especially hard during as many countries have implemented a coronavirus quarantine, and U.K. airlines are firing back with a lawsuit.

Airlines have criticised the coronavirus quarantine because the strict rules will likely stop customers from booking holidays to the U.K.

Airlines argue the quarantine policy will destroy jobs and have a disastrous effect on the economy.

British Airways parent IAG SA contacted the Home Office to start a plan to block the coronavirus quarantine policy last week. 

The virus has hit the U.K. harder than any other country in Europe, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been forced to try to balance the spread of the virus and the need to reopen businesses.

After the closing of businesses in March, the government has been slowly taking measures to ease the rules of lockdown to get the economy up and running again.

British Airways and other airlines have wanted the government to overturn the quarantine policy since March 10, when the policy only asked travellers from high-risk countries to quarantine.

The new rules of the quarantine policy are tougher on travellers, the airlines say. Airlines argue the requirements weren’t properly discussed and the rules aren’t backed by scientific evidence. 

Airlines UK, the airline network that represents British Airways, EasyJet, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair, has said the coronavirus quarantine will “completely shut off the U.K. from the rest of the world when other countries are opening up their economies.” 

“The danger is it would be a blunt tool measure when what the U.K. should be doing is leading internationally with health and aviation authorities on common standards, including health screening, which will enable our sector to restart and give people assurances that it’s safe to travel,” Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade told BBC News.

The travel industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic.

The International Air Transport Association has predicted that airlines will lose a collective $84 billion this year and $16 billion next year. In most European countries, cases of the virus have been on the decline and governments have been loosening the travel ban restrictions. Airlines aim to try to recover during the summer season, the biggest season for travellers.

British Airways planned to resume about 40% of its scheduled flights in July, but the quarantine policy may cause another £20 million loss. 

Do you think the quarantine policy for the U.K. is too strict? Let us know in the comments.

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