Dominic Raab has defended the Government’s last minute decision to enforce quarantine measures for British holidaymakers returning from Spain.
Asked by Sky News why the decision was taken with so little notice, the Foreign Secretary said: “The data we got on the Friday, showed a big jump right across mainland Spain, that was then assessed yesterday afternoon and we took the decision as swiftly as we could.”
Holidaymakers faced with this abrupt change in policy may find it “inconvenient” but the Government must be able to take “targeted measures” if and when the situation requires it, he said.
Raab also admitted that there is no guarantee other countries will not be removed from the Government’s “safe list”, but insisted no worker following quarantine guidance should be penalised by employers, including by being put onto sick pay.
“We are changing the rules – the law is changed in relation to holidaymakers and travellers – and of course we expect employers show those employees who will have to quarantine because of the law the flexibility they need,” he said.
“If someone is following the law in relation to quarantine and self-isolating the way they should, they can’t have penalties taken against them.”
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