The UK Government has today set out plans for new quarantine measures on international travellers from 8 June. Catherine McGuinness, Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, said:

“Public health must come first when it comes to dealing with this pandemic but the economy and our international competitiveness are important considerations too.

“The current quarantine proposals will have a major impact on a range of sectors, including the City’s financial and professional services firms as well as our cultural institutions. It is difficult to understand why seasonal agricultural workers, truck drivers and athletes are being exempted from the rules but service sector staff are not. Restrictions which seem arbitrary rather than consistent undermine confidence and will hold us back.

“We welcome the commitment to keep the policy under regular review. It is vital that the Government adopts an internationally coordinated approach to get passengers flying safely as soon as possible, with ‘air bridges’ to countries with lower transmission levels one possible option that should be considered.”

Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk