LONDON 5 Aug (ANA) - The UK’s coronavirus outbreak could have been curbed more effectively had quarantine restrictions on arrivals been imposed at an earlier stage, MPs have said.

 

The Home Affairs committee said it was a “serious mistake” not to bring in tougher border measures earlier on in the pandemic.

 

The committee said ministers had underestimated the threat of importing the virus from Europe at a time when there were serious outbreaks in Italy and Spain.

 

A Home Office spokeswoman disputed the committee’s findings, saying all of the government’s decisions had "been guided by the science”.

 

During February and early March, all passengers from China, Iran, South Korea and later Italy were asked to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival.

 

But a decision on 13 March to end self-isolation advice for international arrivals not displaying symptoms had been "inexplicable", said the MPs.

 

Currently, travellers arriving from certain high-risk countries - including UK nationals - are asked to provide an address where they will self-isolate for 14 days.(ANA)

FA/ANA/5 August 2020----------