Belfast International Airport says UK’s 14 day UK quarantine rule will have “very severe economic” impact

The airport was speaking after it was announced that two-week quarantines will be imposed on new arrivals to the UK from June 8, with fines for anyone who breaches the measure to prevent new waves of coronavirus from overseas.

A spokeswoman for Belfast International Airport said there had been no consultation on the measure.

“We note with great disappointment that the government has decided to press ahead with these quarantine measures without any industry consultation,” it said.

“These measures will have very severe economic and social consequences not only on our business but also on the wider aviation industry and on all sectors that rely heavily on aviation connectivity.”

In the meantime, the airport said, it will continue to work with the industry trade body, the Airport Operators Association (AoA), to urge the chancellor to provide further financial and business support to airports and travel operators, to help the industry get through this prolonged period of limited to no revenue.

The aim is to ensure the sector is ready to “restart in support of the UK economic recovery,” the spokeswoman added.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced yesterday that mandatory self-isolation would not apply to people coming from Ireland, medics tackling Covid-19 and seasonal agricultural workers.

Passengers would have to fill a form providing their contact and travel information so they can be traced if infections arise and could be contacted regularly during the 14 days to ensure their compliance.

Breaches would be punishable with a £1,000 fixed penalty notice in England, or prosecution with an unlimited fine, while Stormont can set its own enforcement approaches.

Border Force will be able to refuse entry to foreign citizens who are not UK residents during border checks while removal from the country could be used as a last resort, the Home Office said.

Arrivals will be advised to use personal transport to head to their accommodation and once there not leave for 14 days.

They will not be allowed to accept visitors, unless they are providing essential support, and should not go out to buy food or other essentials “where they can rely on others”, the department said.

The Home Office said they will have isolate in “facilities arranged by the government” if there is no alternative.

A full list of exemptions from the measure will be published online, but it will include:

– Road haulage and freight workers

– Medical professionals travelling to help the coronavirus effort

– Anyone moving from within the common travel area, including Ireland

– Seasonal agricultural workers who will self-isolate on the property they are working.

Home Office chief scientific adviser Professor John Aston said: “We must now manage the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from elsewhere”