Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Fifth Report: Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (coronavirus): management of the borders
Home Affairs Committee
HC 563
Published 5 August 2020
Government response
Sixth Special Report: Home Office preparedness for COVID-19 (coronavirus): management of the borders: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 13 Nov 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
31
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 156
It is very disappointing that Border Force officers did not receive guidance on the implementation...
Recommendation
It is very disappointing that Border Force officers did not receive guidance on the implementation of new regulations until less than one working day before they came into force. Without enough time to raise questions and properly to digest the …
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Government Response Summary
The government states that Border Force already provided a comprehensive readiness programme and training to staff in advance of implementation, and that staff guidance is continually reviewed and updated routinely ahead of changes taking effect.
Home Office
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33
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 175
However, we also note the warnings from public health experts in countries like New Zealand...
Recommendation
However, we also note the warnings from public health experts in countries like New Zealand and Singapore that are continuing to take a much more restrictive approach to international travel, and who advised against mass-market travel in Europe this summer. …
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Government Response Summary
The Government agrees swift action is needed and states it already uses the Joint Biosecurity Centre, working with PHE, to assess risks and inform ministerial decisions for travel corridor exemptions, promising to continue this review.
Home Office
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38
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 195
The disruption to travel plans and surprise caused by removing Spain from the travel corridor...
Recommendation
The disruption to travel plans and surprise caused by removing Spain from the travel corridor list demonstrates how essential it is that surveillance data is shared with the public openly and frequently. Potential travellers must be presented with the risks …
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Government Response Summary
The government details the criteria used for risk assessment, including viral incidence, transmission status, and testing capacity, and states that current travel corridor information is available on gov.uk. It does not commit to publishing a specific 'traffic light system' or its categorisations.
Home Office
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44
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 214
It is not clear exactly which Government department or agency is ultimately responsible for coordinating...
Recommendation
It is not clear exactly which Government department or agency is ultimately responsible for coordinating border policy. Evidence from the Home Secretary suggested important roles for the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and the Department for …
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Government Response Summary
The Government states that lead responsibility for the international travel programme has transferred from the Home Office to the Department for Transport, with the Secretary of State for Transport now responsible for signing regulations, while collaborative efforts across departments continue.
Home Office
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47
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 223
The Government’s estimate of compliance with its enforcement regime for border quarantine is unconvincing.
Recommendation
The Government’s estimate of compliance with its enforcement regime for border quarantine is unconvincing. That the estimate is so high should be grounds for healthy cynicism and interrogation. A better method for estimating the true compliance rate is required, based …
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Government Response Summary
The government claims high compliance and describes its existing enforcement mechanisms, including Border Force checks, PHE's Isolation Assurance Service, and police referrals. It notes that "data in relation to Border Health measures" was published once on gov.uk, but does not commit to the routine fortnightly publication of the specific figures requested.
Home Office
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50
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 232
As passenger numbers rise and interactions between Border Force officers and arrivals increase, it is...
Recommendation
As passenger numbers rise and interactions between Border Force officers and arrivals increase, it is crucial that there are no lapses in PPE availability for officers on the frontline who have worked admirably in difficult conditions for several months. The …
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Government Response Summary
The Government states that Border Force and the Home Office already regularly reappraise PPE requirements and maintain good stock levels, and will continue these efforts to protect officers.
Home Office
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51
Recommendation
Accepted
Para 233
Concerns about provision of PPE to key workers have been a recurring theme during the...
Recommendation
Concerns about provision of PPE to key workers have been a recurring theme during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that Border Force’s provision of PPE to its staff has been based on PHE and WHO advice. However, Border Force officials …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it has successfully ensured sufficient PPE supply, installed protective screens, and will continue to work with partners and regularly reappraise PPE requirements for Border Force officers, implying existing measures address staff safety concerns.
Home Office
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