Quarantine: Business Reaction To Rule Changes

Responding to the news that people arriving in England from more than 50 countries will no longer need to quarantine from 10 July, CBI Deputy Director-General Josh Hardie said:

“This announcement marks a gear shift as the U.K. reopens for business. The travel industry and the wider economy depend on the movement of people and products across borders. The changes to the 14 day quarantine policy and the FCO foreign travel advice are a huge step forwards.

“There is more to do to ensure business travellers can move to and from even more countries that are vital trading partners. However, a continued focus on ensuring that international travel corridors are quickly agreed with partner countries, will accelerate the reawakening of our economy. This will help protect jobs, investment, and the country’s future as a global hub.”

“The UK can now take a leadership role on the world stage, devising testing procedures for international air travel that will be essential to restarting global routes.”

The British Chamber of Commerce response to the government’s announcement of quarantine-free travel with a specified list of ‘low-risk’ countries, was made by Director-General Dr Adam Marshall said:

“Businesses will be pleased to see the back of the UK government’s damaging blanket quarantine policy, but they will also be asking a lot of questions about its replacement.

“It’s taken far too long for the exemption list to appear, and the fact that it does not initially apply to all four nations of the UK will put regional connectivity and regional economies at risk. Neither the process nor the outcome inspire confidence, either here at home or with our partners globally. 

“While these changes will give some businesses a fighting chance to make up for months of lost income, the job is not yet done. This isn’t just about summer holidays. Ministers need to focus on restoring connections and confidence with key trading partners all across the world.”