During today's Transport Oral Questions I was granted an intervention in my role as Chairman of the Transport Select Committee. I focused on the aviation sector and advocated air bridges without quarantine for UK and other citizens arriving from countries where the coronavirus infection rate was below 1. I was encouraged by the response from the Secretary of State, Grant Shapps, that measures such as this would be considered.
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Huw Merriman Chair, Transport Committee, Chair, Transport Committee
The Secretary of State will be aware that the aviation industry is a sector in need of support. Will he consider airbridges so that those entering the UK from countries where the infection rate is below one would not be subject to quarantine? This would boost confidence in aviation travel and target safety where it is most needed.
Grant Shapps The Secretary of State for Transport
In answer to a previous question, I should say that final details of the quarantine scheme will be released soon and come in early next month. We should indeed consider further improvements—for example, airbridges enabling people from other countries that have achieved lower levels of coronavirus infection to come to the country, but those are active discussions that go beyond what will initially be a blanket situation.
