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'BE VIGILANT'
Europe on verge of Covid second wave, Boris Johnson says as he defends Spain quarantine
BORIS Johnson today warned that Europe was on the verge of a second wave and the UK must be "vigilant" - as he defended the decision to quarantine travellers from Spain.
Speaking in Nottinghamshire today at the launch of his big push to promote cycling, the PM spoke for the first time about the rise in cases across the continent.
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And he hinted that the Government was worried about the risk of a second wave here.
Tourists and the travel industry are in chaos after the surprise decision on Saturday night to change Foreign Office advice to advise people to stay away from Spain.
Brits are now advised against all but essential travel to the country - and as of last night the Spanish islands were included too.
Mr Johnson told reporters this morning: "Let's be absolutely clear about what's happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I'm afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic.
"What we have to do is take swift and decisive action where we think that the risks are starting to bubble up again."
He added: "We just have to be vigilant and we have to be very mindful."
It came as:
- The PM said it was a personal decision whether families wanted to go abroad or not this summer
- The quarantine u-turn was sparked by 10 Brits testing positive for coronavirus on their return, it was reported
- Ministers did not deny that the quarantine time could be reduced from 14 days down to 10 in future
Yesterday No10 said: “No travel is risk-free during this pandemic. Anyone travelling abroad should be aware that our travel advice and exemption list is under constant review as we monitor the international situation”.
Boris said it was up to individuals to decide whether they wanted to take the risk of going abroad.
The PM said: "These are decisions for families, for individuals, about where they want to go."
The Prime Minister said the quarantine measures were aimed at stopping cases being brought in to the UK.
"It's vital that when people are coming back from abroad, if they are coming back from a place where I'm afraid there is another outbreak, they must go into quarantine," he said.
"That's why we have taken the action that we have and we will continue, throughout the summer, to take such action where it is necessary."
Britain was thought to be around two weeks behind Europe in the first phase of the pandemic back in March.
He said that all communities must "heed the advice" before restrictions can be lifted in local lockdowns like in Leceister.
He said "we'll see what the review says" but health had to the the priority.
Asked about reports the 14-day quarantine period could be reduced down to ten, Boris Johnson said: "We are always looking at ways in which we can mitigate the impact of the quarantine, try to help people, try to make sure that the science is working to help travellers and holidaymakers.
"At the moment you have got to stick with the guidance that we are giving, we have given the guidance now about Spain and about some other places around the world.
"I'm afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries it is really our job, our duty, to act swiftly and decisively to stop ... travellers coming back from those places seeding the disease here in the UK."
Scottish First Minister Nicola sturgeon said today people should be "very cautious" about non-essential foreign travel.
At the moment people have to stay home for two weeks but this could be lowered.
Test and trace tsar Dido Harding said yesterday that "over time... I would like to believe that we’ll be able to shorten" the quarantine period.
She said it would come as scientists learn more about the "delay curve" of the virus incubation.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The "clincher" that convinced senior ministers to introduce the quarantine was when they were told that 10 Brits had tested positive for the bug since July 1 after visiting Spain, it was reported today.
Prof Chris Whitty said the number was "statistically significant" and that Covid-19 cases in Spain had jumped by 75 per cent.
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Spain's new travel rules
FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE:
- Don't travel to mainland Spain unless essential
- Brits are now (as of 27 July) being advised against all but essential travel to the islands too
14 DAY QUARANTINE
- Everyone coming back from Spain OR the Spanish islands must quarantine for 14 days at home
- They must self isolate and give an address of where they are staying, or they face a £1000 fine
WHY HAS IT CHANGED?
This advice is based on evidence of increases in cases of COVID-19 in several regions, but particularly in Aragon, Navarra and Catalonia (which include the cities of Zaragoza, Pamplona and Barcelona).
SHOULD I GO HOME?
- The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Spain to leave at this time.
- Travellers should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect themselves and others, including any measures that they bring in to control the virus.
- You should contact your tour operator or airline if you have any questions about your return journ
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