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Britain Orders a 14-Day Quarantine on Arriving Travelers Britain Orders a 14-Day Quarantine on Arriving Travelers
(1 day later)
LONDON — Britain on Friday moved ahead with a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arriving travelers, and heavy fines for those who break the rules, outlining strict new travel restrictions as other European nations are thinking about easing theirs.LONDON — Britain on Friday moved ahead with a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arriving travelers, and heavy fines for those who break the rules, outlining strict new travel restrictions as other European nations are thinking about easing theirs.
For weeks, the British government resisted the idea of a quarantine on travelers — even as the death toll from the coronavirus rose above that of neighboring nations — but on Friday, Priti Patel, the home secretary, brushed aside critics who think her plan is damaging, unworkable or simply too late.For weeks, the British government resisted the idea of a quarantine on travelers — even as the death toll from the coronavirus rose above that of neighboring nations — but on Friday, Priti Patel, the home secretary, brushed aside critics who think her plan is damaging, unworkable or simply too late.
At a news conference, Ms. Patel argued that when the virus was spreading freely at home, it made little sense to restrict travelers, but now that the pandemic was under control in Britain, the calculation had changed.At a news conference, Ms. Patel argued that when the virus was spreading freely at home, it made little sense to restrict travelers, but now that the pandemic was under control in Britain, the calculation had changed.
“It is to protect that hard-won progress and prevent a devastating resurgence in a second wave of the virus,” said Ms. Patel, explaining the timing of the measures. As travel increases after the lockdown, “imported cases could begin to pose a larger and increased threat,” she added.“It is to protect that hard-won progress and prevent a devastating resurgence in a second wave of the virus,” said Ms. Patel, explaining the timing of the measures. As travel increases after the lockdown, “imported cases could begin to pose a larger and increased threat,” she added.
Travelers whose final destination is in Britain will be required to give an address at which they must self-isolate and where they will be subject to spot checks by the police. Those who do not comply face a fine up to £1,000 ($1,218).Travelers whose final destination is in Britain will be required to give an address at which they must self-isolate and where they will be subject to spot checks by the police. Those who do not comply face a fine up to £1,000 ($1,218).
The plan, which is to start on June 8 and to be reviewed every three weeks, has several exemptions, including for truck drivers, seasonal farm workers, government officials and medical personnel, in addition to anyone arriving from Ireland, which has a common travel agreement with Britain.The plan, which is to start on June 8 and to be reviewed every three weeks, has several exemptions, including for truck drivers, seasonal farm workers, government officials and medical personnel, in addition to anyone arriving from Ireland, which has a common travel agreement with Britain.
One prominent traveler who could be exempt is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who might meet face to face with other Group of 7 leaders, including President Trump, if a planned meeting is held next month in Washington.One prominent traveler who could be exempt is Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who might meet face to face with other Group of 7 leaders, including President Trump, if a planned meeting is held next month in Washington.
Still, for Mr. Johnson, who has held out a vision of a “Global Britain” after the country’s departure from the European Union earlier this year, the enforcement of a quarantine on international travelers is another painful symbol of how the pandemic has upended his new government’s agenda.Still, for Mr. Johnson, who has held out a vision of a “Global Britain” after the country’s departure from the European Union earlier this year, the enforcement of a quarantine on international travelers is another painful symbol of how the pandemic has upended his new government’s agenda.
Other Britons are holding on to more ordinary hopes, such as being allowed to travel for a late-summer vacation, which has added to tensions within Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party over the merits of the quarantine plan. On Friday, the government said it was considering the idea of allowing “air bridges” to specific countries so that British tourists could head for Mediterranean beaches.Other Britons are holding on to more ordinary hopes, such as being allowed to travel for a late-summer vacation, which has added to tensions within Mr. Johnson’s Conservative Party over the merits of the quarantine plan. On Friday, the government said it was considering the idea of allowing “air bridges” to specific countries so that British tourists could head for Mediterranean beaches.
Medical experts said the decision to impose a quarantine was useful but overdue. It would have been more effective three months ago, when people arriving from Italy and other parts of Europe brought the virus into Britain.Medical experts said the decision to impose a quarantine was useful but overdue. It would have been more effective three months ago, when people arriving from Italy and other parts of Europe brought the virus into Britain.
“Of course, it is a valid move now, but what was right in February-March is also right in May-June,” said Bharat Pankhania, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School. “They needed to do it when the virus was at a much earlier stage.”“Of course, it is a valid move now, but what was right in February-March is also right in May-June,” said Bharat Pankhania, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School. “They needed to do it when the virus was at a much earlier stage.”
Dr. Pankhania said that Britain’s decision to sequester visitors from China early in the outbreak was valuable, but that the government’s decision not to do the same with European arrivals offset the benefits of that decision and contributed to a massive spread of the virus in the population.Dr. Pankhania said that Britain’s decision to sequester visitors from China early in the outbreak was valuable, but that the government’s decision not to do the same with European arrivals offset the benefits of that decision and contributed to a massive spread of the virus in the population.
“It strikes me as being very late and very hard to enforce,” said Anand Menon, professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College London, who noted that in New Zealand quarantine took place in managed facilities.“It strikes me as being very late and very hard to enforce,” said Anand Menon, professor of European politics and foreign affairs at King’s College London, who noted that in New Zealand quarantine took place in managed facilities.
“Here you have to give an address and the police might pop by,” he said. “But if you live at that address with five others, does the quarantine apply to them and, if not, what is the point?”“Here you have to give an address and the police might pop by,” he said. “But if you live at that address with five others, does the quarantine apply to them and, if not, what is the point?”
In handling the pandemic, Britain has often gone its own way, entering lockdown after many other nations had already done so and lifting such measures more slowly. Most countries restricted travel earlier and now have lower rates of infection than Britain, which has suffered more than 36,000 deaths.In handling the pandemic, Britain has often gone its own way, entering lockdown after many other nations had already done so and lifting such measures more slowly. Most countries restricted travel earlier and now have lower rates of infection than Britain, which has suffered more than 36,000 deaths.
Britain’s move to quarantine was so slow it is taking place as some other European nations are experimenting with relaxing travel curbs. Switzerland, Germany and Austria are allowing families divided by border closures to meet again, and there is a hope that the three countries will open their frontiers with one another, and with France, in the middle of June.Britain’s move to quarantine was so slow it is taking place as some other European nations are experimenting with relaxing travel curbs. Switzerland, Germany and Austria are allowing families divided by border closures to meet again, and there is a hope that the three countries will open their frontiers with one another, and with France, in the middle of June.
At home, the British government is trying to lift the lockdown but is taking a cautious approach, knowing that Britons remain nervous about the risk of a second spike in infections.At home, the British government is trying to lift the lockdown but is taking a cautious approach, knowing that Britons remain nervous about the risk of a second spike in infections.
It is struggling to win support for its plan to reopen schools for some students on June 1, with the authorities in some English regions resisting and the Scottish government saying that it will keep schools closed until August.It is struggling to win support for its plan to reopen schools for some students on June 1, with the authorities in some English regions resisting and the Scottish government saying that it will keep schools closed until August.
Its task of persuasion was not helped by guidance published by a scientific committee showing that the government’s specific plan for reopening schools to some groups of children next month was not among the nine scenarios it had modeled.Its task of persuasion was not helped by guidance published by a scientific committee showing that the government’s specific plan for reopening schools to some groups of children next month was not among the nine scenarios it had modeled.
Updated June 1, 2020 Updated June 2, 2020
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.More than 40 million people — the equivalent of 1 in 4 U.S. workers — have filed for unemployment benefits since the pandemic took hold. One in five who were working in February reported losing a job or being furloughed in March or the beginning of April, data from a Federal Reserve survey released on May 14 showed, and that pain was highly concentrated among low earners. Fully 39 percent of former workers living in a household earning $40,000 or less lost work, compared with 13 percent in those making more than $100,000, a Fed official said.
Yes, but make sure you keep six feet of distance between you and people who don’t live in your home. Even if you just hang out in a park, rather than go for a jog or a walk, getting some fresh air, and hopefully sunshine, is a good idea.
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Charity Navigator, which evaluates charities using a numbers-based system, has a running list of nonprofits working in communities affected by the outbreak. You can give blood through the American Red Cross, and World Central Kitchen has stepped in to distribute meals in major cities.
One option the scientists seemed to prefer, which would have split classes between groups of students attending on alternate weeks, was not favored by the ministers.One option the scientists seemed to prefer, which would have split classes between groups of students attending on alternate weeks, was not favored by the ministers.
There was a good deal of confusion regarding Ms. Patel’s quarantine plan. Initial reports, following a phone call earlier this month between Mr. Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron of France suggested that travelers from France would be exempt.There was a good deal of confusion regarding Ms. Patel’s quarantine plan. Initial reports, following a phone call earlier this month between Mr. Johnson and President Emmanuel Macron of France suggested that travelers from France would be exempt.
In a statement at the time, the government said, “No quarantine measures would apply to travelers coming from France at this stage” and that “any measures on either side would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner.”In a statement at the time, the government said, “No quarantine measures would apply to travelers coming from France at this stage” and that “any measures on either side would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner.”
But after political backlash in Mr. Johnson’s cabinet, that idea was scrapped.But after political backlash in Mr. Johnson’s cabinet, that idea was scrapped.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, who speaks on home affairs issues for the opposition Labour Party, said he supported the plan but added that the government’s handling of arrivals into the country “lacked urgency, coherence and clarity from the outset.”Nick Thomas-Symonds, who speaks on home affairs issues for the opposition Labour Party, said he supported the plan but added that the government’s handling of arrivals into the country “lacked urgency, coherence and clarity from the outset.”
“If quarantine is needed, it should not have taken so long for measures to be introduced,” he said. “Too little thought has been given to testing and screening at airports.”“If quarantine is needed, it should not have taken so long for measures to be introduced,” he said. “Too little thought has been given to testing and screening at airports.”
Airlines have warned of a potentially devastating impact on their operations, and a lobby organization, Airlines UK, expressed its concern earlier this month.Airlines have warned of a potentially devastating impact on their operations, and a lobby organization, Airlines UK, expressed its concern earlier this month.
The chief executive of the low-cost carrier Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, has predicted that the quarantine would be impossible to police and described the plans for it as “idiotic.”The chief executive of the low-cost carrier Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, has predicted that the quarantine would be impossible to police and described the plans for it as “idiotic.”