May 9, 2020

expert reaction to quarantining arrivals to the UK by air for 14 days, as has been reported in numerous news outlets today

It has been reported that the UK government plan to advise passengers arriving at UK airports to self quarantine for two weeks.

Prof Peter Openshaw, Professor of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, said:

“The restrictions on travellers have to be on the basis of the epidemiological appraisal of the actual risk, with screening and targeting those who are most likely to bring infections into the UK. The blanket introduction of restrictions on those coming from areas of low prevalence makes little sense; there should be sound reasons for such restrictions, accompanied by screening for virus and antibody to the virus to inform regulations. It is vital that we are proportionate and sensible about the introduction of restrictions. Plans should be made now for how and when restrictions might be eased.

“UK universities depend on fees from students coming from around the globe to receive a first-class education. Our universities are amongst the most highly regarded in the world and we have to ensure that students coming to the UK to study can do so assured of their own safety. They must be sure that they will be welcomed and accommodated in a way that minimises their risk of becoming infected whilst studying and enjoying all that the UK can offer. Travel restrictions will be one of the factors that students and their families will be take into account when considering the UK as a place to study.”

Prof Gary McLean, Professor in Molecular Immunology, London Metropolitan University, said:

“This initiative to require all UK visitors to enter a 14 day quarantine is really what should have been done 2 months ago and should also remain in place for at least another 2 months from when it is finally implemented. It was clear that the virus cases were coming in from outside the UK early on and potentially reducing more cases by introducing the mandatory quarantine, as other countries did, would have been the most sensible approach at that time.

“However, better late than never to have this 14 day quarantine period for people entering the UK but I question how the compliance of people being required to quarantine will be monitored and even enforced?”

All our previous output on this subject can be seen at this weblink: www.sciencemediacentre.org/covid-19/

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