The British government revealed on Friday the first exemptions from the quarantine regime implemented to fight the epidemic of coronavirus, which concern arrivals from Germany, France, Spain or Italy from July 10. But, at the risk of confusion, it also decided that these exemptions would only apply to arrivals in England and that fortnight would still be compulsory for anyone arriving in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, under penalty of a fine.
Read also: Against the crisis, Boris Johnson urges to "build, build, build"
The United Kingdom was one of the European countries most affected by the covid-19 epidemic with at least 44,000 deaths, but the number of cases slowed down and the country began to lift the restrictions imposed during a confinement that has lasted three months.
Among these restrictions was a quarantine of 14 days' duration for anyone, including British residents, arriving in the United Kingdom. The move angered the airlines and prompted many other countries to decide on similar reciprocal restrictions. The UK government expects that these measures will now be lifted by the countries on the exemption list. However, negotiations are still ongoing with the countries concerned.
"A new step"
" Today marks a new step in the prudent reopening of our great country, " Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said in a statement. He said, however, that London would not hesitate to reimpose restrictions if the number of cases were to increase in the countries with which the United Kingdom reopens. A full list of countries benefiting from exemptions is due to be made public on Friday. It concerns nearly 75 countries, according to some media.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government was due to release these exemptions this week, but the announcement was delayed due to friction with local government in Scotland, some ministers said. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will " implement their own approach to exemptions, " said the British government on Friday.
