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* UK arrivals face mandatory 14-day self-isolation
* Rules will be enforced with fines
* Airlines and business groups say move sends wrong message
(Adds reaction, details,)
By Alistair Smout and Kylie MacLellan
LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - Britain will introduce a COVID-19
quarantine for travellers arriving from abroad from June 8,
interior minister Priti Patel said on Friday, a measure that
airlines have warned will devastate their industry.
All international arrivals, including returning Britons,
will have to self-isolate for 14 days and provide details of
where they will be staying under the plans, which were
criticised by airlines, business groups and politicians alike.
"Now we are past the peak of this virus, we must take steps
to guard against imported cases triggering a resurgence of this
deadly disease," Patel said at a news conference.
Those who breached the quarantine in England could be fined
1,000 pounds ($1,218), and spot checks would be carried out by
health and border officials.
The quarantine will not apply to those arriving from the
Irish Republic, nor to freight drivers, medical professionals
and seasonal agricultural workers. The measures will be reviewed
every 3 weeks.
Transport minister Grant Shapps has also suggested the
government would seek to negotiate "air bridges" for travellers
coming from countries with low virus infection rates.
Unlike many other countries, Britain has carried out few
tests and checks on visitors, with quarantine limited only to
arrivals from China at the start of the outbreak.
Spain and Italy have introduced rules that mean
international arrivals must self-isolate for two weeks, while on
Friday Ireland gave further details for its own quarantine
proposals.
AIRLINES DISMAYED
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the blanket
quarantine was deeply concerning and could be avoided with
strong safety measures.
"This approach will damage international business and
investor confidence at a time when it is vital to demonstrate
that the UK can open for business safely," BCC Director General
Adam Marshall said.
The opposition Labour Party supported the measures but said
the government's handling of UK arrivals had "lacked urgency,
coherence and clarity from the outset". Some members of
Johnson's Conservative party have also criticised the plan.
Chief among industry critics of the plan are airline bosses.
They have said the measures would have severe repercussions,
with Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief executive, saying they
would be "unenforceable and unpoliceable."
Ryanair and easyJet have outlined plans to
restart some flights in coming months. But under the quarantine
plan, Virgin Atlantic will not restart until August at the
earliest.
"Introducing a quarantine at this stage makes no sense and
will mean very limited international aviation at best," said Tim
Alderslade, Chief Executive of industry body Airlines UK.
"It is just about the worst thing government could do if
their aim is to restart the economy."
(Additional reporting by Estelle Shirbon, Guy Faulconbridge and
Kate Holton; editing by Michael Holden and Stephen Addison)
