Brits could be given coronavirus ‘immunity passports’ to go abroad and not quarantine, reveals Priti Patel

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BRITS could be handed Covid-19 “immunity passports” to jet off around the world quarantine free, the Home Secretary revealed.

Priti Patel confirmed that the certificate was one of a number of policies being explored to end the 14 day quarantine which came into force today.

Priti Patel told MPs the certificate was being explored to end the 14-day isolation period

Brits could be handed Covid-19 ‘immunity passports’ to fly around the world quarantine free

Home Officials are examining plans to give those with coronavirus immunity special travel documents which are already handed out to those who have had vaccines for diseases like Yellow Fever.

Speaking to MPs in the Commons, Ms Patel said she was “working across government” to introduce new measures that could replace quarantine.

She said “air bridges, fast testing, immunity passport, how we can digitalise the response at the border” were all being examined.

Last week, she told MPs that the 14 day isolation would be lifted when “the degree to which antibody and other methods of testing prove effective in minimising the health risk.”

A Whitehall source told HOAR: “Immunity passports are just one of the policies we are looking at.

“So elements of immunity would come under parts of what the Home Secretary said last week and the policy is still at a very early stage and is being led outside the Home Office.

“We are thinking it will be like when you have yellow fever jabs – that sort of stuff – but we can only do it when the science says it’s right.”

A Whitehall source said ‘immunity passports’ are just one of the policies being looked at

Downing Street said it was pleased with how the first day of the measures had gone.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “All of the indications so far is that there has been a good level of compliance and we expect the vast majority of people to play their part in helping to stop the spread of this disease.”

But they dismissed suggestions from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer that isolation should be replaced by 24 to 48 hour tests at the border.

Sir Keir said: “Quarantine’s a bit of a blunt instrument.

“I would much prefer to see some kind of testing regime in the airport.

“We would like to see a situation where the test was returned within 24 hours.”

Downing Street dismissed the suggestion saying it would take a “significant number of days” after becoming infected before people developed symptoms.

The spokesman added: “They could potentially have a test at the border, that test could say that they were negative for coronavirus and then a few days later they may start to develop symptoms and by that point they might have already been spreading the virus.”

Travel chiefs have called on the Government to publish a roadmap to get Brits on holiday again as quarantine measures come into force.

The ABTA travel association has written to Ms Patel to review the measures, publish the science that will overlook the policy review and urge a change in the Foreign Office’s advice against all but essential travel.

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of travel trade organisation Abta, called on ministers to outline a “coordinated plan” for encouraging people to travel to and from the UK.

He said: “We must restart international travel as soon as it is safe to do so, and businesses and customers would benefit from the Government outlining when this is likely to happen.

“There are many livelihoods at stake, and bookings will only start to pick up in earnest when people and businesses have a better idea as to what the Government’s plan is to open up the UK and access to international destinations.”

Travellers arriving in the country from Monday are required to self-isolate for 14 days or face a fine of up to £1,000 in England.

All passengers – bar a handful of exemptions – must fill out an online locator form giving their contact and travel details, as well as the address of where they will isolate.

The measure is intended to guard against a second wave of coronavirus.

Heathrow boss John Holland Kaye warned 25,000 people will lose their jobs at the airport if the measures are not lifted.

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