PM says 'we moved as fast as we could' on quarantine - after Brazilian variant found in UK

1 March 2021, 14:21 | Updated: 1 March 2021, 15:52

Boris Johnson defends border measures after Brazilian variant imported

By Joe Cook

Boris Johnson has insisted the UK has "one of the toughest border regimes anywhere in the world" after the government faced criticism for not stopping the importation of a Brazilian “variant of concern”.

On Tuesday, public health officials revealed that six cases of the P.1 variant had been detected, with all thought to be linked to travel from the South American country in early February.

A search is underway to track down one of these individuals, who has not yet been identified as their test registration card was not completed.

Mandatory hotel quarantine measures have been in place for travellers from Brazil since 15 February, however these people entered the country in the period after the policy had been announced but before it was implemented.

Read more: Search under way for missing patient in England with Brazilian Covid strain

The cases found in South Gloucestershire are believed to be linked to travel back from Brazil.
The cases found in South Gloucestershire are believed to be linked to travel back from Brazil. Picture: PA
Arrivals from Brazil and other 'red-list' countries have had to go into hotel quarantine since 15 February.
Arrivals from Brazil and other 'red-list' countries have had to go into hotel quarantine since 15 February. Picture: PA

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the importation of the new variant as “further proof that the delay in introducing a hotel quarantine was reckless”.

“The continuing refusal to put in place a comprehensive system leaves us exposed to mutations coming from overseas,” he continued.

Similarly, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told a virtual meeting with Welsh businesses that the discovery “demonstrates the slowness of the government to close off even the major routes” from high risk countries into the UK.

Explained: What to expect from Rishi Sunak’s Budget announcement

Vaccines Minister explains details behind the new Covid strain

The hotel quarantine measures were first announced by the Home Secretary Priti Patel on 27 January, coming into force 19 days later.

However, on Monday, the prime minister claimed the government had “moved as fast as we could” to launch the policy.

"It's a very tough regime - you come here, you immediately get transported to a hotel where you are kept for 10 days, 11 days.

"You have to test on day two, you have to test on day eight, and it's designed to stop the spread of new variants while we continue to roll out the vaccination programme."

Read more: Prince Philip moved to St Barts hospital for further treatment and heart tests

Boris Johnson defended the border restrictions during a visit to St Mary's CE Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent.
Boris Johnson defended the border restrictions during a visit to St Mary's CE Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent. Picture: PA

The Department for Health and Social Care have also defended the measures.

A government spokesperson told LBC: “As we have done throughout this pandemic we will continue to take all steps necessary to protect the public and help prevent the spread of the virus, with strong measures in place at our borders.

“When confronted with new variants, we have taken swift action to save lives and thanks to the UK’s advanced sequencing capabilities, we are finding more mutations than many other countries.

“Very occasionally we do have a test result where the individual has not provided their details.

“Every effort is underway to locate this person and in the meantime it is important people come forward for testing, continue to follow the restrictions in place and stay at home whenever possible.”

Read more: ‘Strong evidence’ Covid vaccines reduce transmission expected soon, JCVI member tells LBC

Vaccines Minister urges people who had a test but no result to call

On Monday, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi told LBC that anyone who had a test on the 12th or 13th February and has not had their result back yet should call 119.

Surge testing is also being deployed in parts of South Gloucestershire to rapidly test as many people as possible for the variant.

The discovery of the new strain has reignited disagreements between the Scottish and Westminster governments.

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman described the UK government&squot;s border policy as "inadequate". File image.
Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman described the UK government's border policy as "inadequate". File image. Picture: PA

While all international passengers arriving at Scottish airports must enter the hotel quarantine system, the UK government only requires this of those coming from countries on the "red list".

Scottish government advisor Professor Devi Sridhar of Edinburgh University, said in a tweet the arrival of the new variant showed the red list approach "doesn't work", as the passengers in question arrived in the UK via Paris.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said she agreed with Prof Sridhar's assessment, adding: "That's why the Scottish Government has consistently argued that the red list as the sole means of introducing and providing managed quarantine is inadequate."

She said international travel continues to be the "main area that we seek to persuade the UK government to take steps on".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

Rich people are getting married at a way higher rate than those with lower incomes as the ‘marriage gap’ between rich and poor hits a record 51%.

'Only rich people are getting married', new research suggests, as ‘marriage gap’ widens

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

The Forum Chinese Restaurant

Chinese restaurant chef uses CCTV to prove 'nonsense' reviews wrong

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria

England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Exclusive
Jordan Stephens, Rizzle Kicks star.

Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer holds a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room after hosting virtual meeting with international leaders to discuss support for Ukraine.

Military chiefs to meet in UK next week - as Starmer confirms Ukraine peace effort ‘moving into operational phase’

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Joanne Penney, 40.

Five charged and one arrested after fatal shooting of 'deeply loved' mother

Ozdemir Zia hit Edna McLean as he turned his double-decker near Woolwich Arsenal station, London.

Bus driver avoids jail after killing 83-year-old pensioner in 'momentary error'

Front facade of a pretty country cottage, Netherbury, Dorset, UK - John Gollop

Met Police suggest planting roses in your garden could deter would-be burglars

March 11, 2025, London, England, UK: Actor, director and writer NOEL CLARKE arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice for his libel case against The Guardian over articles on sexual misconduct allegations against him.

Actress said to have been groped by actor Noel Clarke tells court 'it is a lie'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months