British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair demand judicial review over ‘UK government’s flawed quarantine’
'There was no consultation and no scientific evidence provided for such a severe policy,' the airlines say
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The three biggest airlines serving the UK have launched legal action against what they call the “government’s flawed quarantine”.
British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair say the obligation for all arrivals to the UK to spend 14 days self-isolating “will have a devastating effect on British tourism and the wider economy and destroy thousands of jobs”.
The airlines have asked for their judicial review to be heard as soon as possible, because the measures have stifled inbound and outbound tourism for the summer.
They say: “This quarantine, by criminal law, is more stringent than the guidelines applied to people who actually have Covid-19.
“There was no consultation and no scientific evidence provided for such a severe policy.”
BA, easyJet and Ryanair are demanding the government abandons its current blanket rules, and instead targets the few countries regarded as high risk relative to the UK.
The trio says: “This would be the most practical and effective solution and enables civil servants to focus on other, more significant, issues arising from the pandemic while bringing the UK in line with much of Europe which is opening its borders mid-June.”
The policy was imposed on 8 June. The home secretary, Priti Patel, said: “These measures are informed by science, backed by the public and will keep us all safe.”
The measures have initially been imposed for a year, though the government has said they will be reviewed every three weeks. The first review date is 29 June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments