The Business secretary has defended the government's planned 14-day quarantine for arrivals into the UK in the face of growing opposition, telling Sky News that a range of exemptions have already been made to help companies.
Alok Sharma said public health had to be the priority as the controversial measure prepares to kick in from 8 June, despite critics warning it will be unenforceable and damage recovery from theHe was speaking hours after it emerged that more than 200 travel and hospitality businesses had now joined a campaign urging ministers to scrap the scheme.
Firms which support the campaign include London hotels the Ritz and the Dorchester, travel firms Kuoni and Inghams, and chef Jason Atherton.George Morgan-Grenville, chief executive of tour operator Red Savannah, who is leading it, said:"This is not just a group of company bosses complaining, but employees from bottom to top calling for the quarantine plans to be quashed.
Imagine getting ready to go on your 10k family holiday then you get a phone call day before from NHS saying you’ve got to self isolate. What do you do then!