3rd Jul 2020 06:43
(Alliance News) - A legal challenge by airlines against the government's 14-day quarantine rule for passengers arriving in the UK has reached the High Court.
British Airways, easyJet PLC and Ryanair Holdings PLC announced the legal action in June, saying the policy is "flawed" and will have a "devastating impact on British tourism and the wider economy".
BA is part of International Consolidated Airlines Group SA.
The airlines are seeking a judicial review of the rules and are bringing the case against Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
The claim will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice over two days, starting on Friday and continuing on Monday.
Announcing the legal challenge last month, the three airlines said they want the government to readopt its previous quarantine policy introduced on March 10, where quarantine is limited to passengers from "high-risk" countries.
They said in a joint statement released at that time: "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 airlines claim the guidelines are more stringent than those applied to people confirmed to have Covid-19 and say there was no consultation and no scientific evidence provided for "such a severe policy".
The government is opposing the legal challenge, which will be heard by two senior judges.
Most international arrivals into the UK – including returning Britons – have been required to enter a 14-day quarantine since June 8.
All passengers – bar a handful of exemptions – have to fill out an online locator form giving their contact and travel details, as well as the address of where they will isolate.
People who fail to comply can be fined GBP1,000 in England and police are allowed to use "reasonable force" to make sure they follow the rules.
Border Force officers are carrying out checks on arrivals and can refuse entry to a non-resident foreign national who refuses to comply with the regulations.
Failure to complete the locator form is punishable by a GBP100 fixed penalty notice.
The UK government is expected to announce on Friday a list of countries which will have "air bridges" with the UK, and therefore be exempt from the restrictions.
The hearing is due to start at 1030 BST.
By Sian Harrison, PA
source: PA
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