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Business chiefs call on UK government to scrap 14-day quarantine

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Industry News: 28th May 2020

Business leaders have called on UK government to scrap its 14-day quarantine on visitors and concentrate on ‘air bridges’ with countries deemed safe.

Low risk visitors would avoid the need for quarantine, due for introduction on June 8, otherwise they warn British business will suffer serious damage and it will be left out of other countries co-operation. 

Yesterday business groups wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying the 14-day quarantine on all air passengers arriving in the UK will have “serious consequences” for the economy. 

In a letter to the prime minister, bosses of airlines including EasyJet, Tui, Jet2 and Virgin Atlantic, as well as industry bodies Airlines UK, the British Chambers of Commerce, UK Hospitality and manufacturing association Made UK said that while they fully support the government’s commitment to public health, they have “serious reservations” about a “blanket approach” to all arrivals into Britain.

So-called ‘air bridges’ would allow visitors from countries where coronavirus infection rates are low into the UK, without having to self-isolate for two weeks.

Instead, they are asking for a more “targeted, risk-based” approach when establishing air links with countries that have high infection rates from the pandemic.

“The alternative risks major damage to the arteries of UK trade with key industry supply chains, whilst pushing the UK to the back of the queue as states begin conversations for opening up their borders,” says the letter.

Home Secretary Pritti Patel announced quaratine plan details on Friday. She said: “We recognise how hard these changes will be for our travel and leisure sectors, who are already struggling in these unprecedented times.

“Across government, we continue to work with them and support what is an incredibly dynamic sector to find new ways to reopen international travel and tourism in a safe and responsible way.”

She added that the 14-day self-isolation rule will be reviewed every three weeks.

Some airlines have announced plans to increase flight numbers this summer after air travel ground to a virtual halt because of the coronavirus lockdowns imposed by many governments.

However, some have argued that the two-week-long quarantine will put people off travel and be difficult to enforce. 

 
 
 
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Why Brits plan to spend up to £3.8bn on hospitality in first week after lockdown ends

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Industry News: 21st May 2020

In the UK the public’s wish to dine out or get a way for a family break is worth £3.8billion (US$4.6bn) to the economy…within just one week of lockdown ending.

New research from Caterer.com this week survey more than 2,000 Brits and revealed 63 per cent want to support local hospitalty businesses as soon as possible, as long as sfety measures are in place.

And it revealed that almost half the people across the country have a new found apprecaition and recognition of the hospitality sector and more than half were eager for it to ‘get back to normal’.

Almost a third (31 per cent) say they will go to the pub within a week of being allowed and in London it was more than half (51 per cent) and 30 per cent will be dining out within the first week.

The insights from Caterer.com show that 62 per cent of Brits would feel comfortable eating in restaurants that occupied every other table only and 55 per cent agreed that maximum group size on a table should be four.

But it was another blow for buffet-style dining with seven in 10 of those surveyed said that was not an option until a vaccine is discovered.

Caterer.com concluded the results support the call from the sector for additional support from the Government, in order to make operation financially viable with 67 per cent supporting Government cash to ensure survival. Even though this money would have to come from central funds, the survey found around 40 per cent say they would pay more in return for better cleaning and social distacing measures.

The survey included suggestions from customers to help make them feel comfortable going out:

  • 54% think hand sanitiser should be provided for all customers and staff
  • 47% would like all staff to be trained on a new cleaning protocol
  • 36% think Social Distancing Managers should be implemented
  • 22% think that all staff should wear PPE
  • 18% think they should be able to order their meals digitally

Neil Pattison, director at Caterer.com, said: “While this has been an incredibly painful time for the sector, it’s encouraging to see the public have a huge appreciation for what the hospitality sector provides to communities. There is strong appetite to support these businesses and workers in getting back on their feet.

“While measures like having more hand sanitiser available and training staff to introduce new cleaning regimes may be more simply implemented, social distancing measures will mean far fewer customers can be served at one time.

“As a result, there is deep concern about how hospitality businesses will survive economically in the short and long term.

“We are grateful for the Government’s support to date, however, there is still much more work to be done and it’s vital that this continues.”

 

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