Illegal migrants could carry coronavirus into the United Kingdom, even when commercial flights are all but grounded, because they are not being routinely tested or put into quarantine, according to the union for border officials.
Lucy Moreton, the general secretary of the ISU, the union for borders, immigration and customs, said it was “almost inevitable” that immigrants infected with the virus were being released by the Border Force after being found on small boats or hiding in the back of lorries.
The stark warning comes after the Border Force was said to have faced a surge in the number of illegal migrants crossing the Channel after French police scaled back their protection of the coast to divert to enforcing the nations Covid-19 lockdown.
Ms Moreton said that officers currently called in paramedics if they picked up migrants with suspected coronavirus symptoms, however, those found in boats crossing the channel often look unwell, and “we don’t want to be calling an ambulance for every single migrant”, she said.
She continued: “We can’t detain anybody against their will where we don’t have a realistic prospect of removal.
“They don’t predominantly speak the language, have limited networks here to assist them and we simply send them off. Even if we could tell them about self-isolating they have no means to achieve it.”
She added: “It’s almost inevitable that we are releasing individuals who are early-stage symptomatic or are shedding the virus and are not symptomatic.”
Unity News Network (UNN) reported that Natalie Elphicke, the MP for Dover and Deal, has called for illegal migrants to be put into quarantine for a fortnight on arrival in the UK, she said: “If people break into the country illegally, whether, by small boats or lorries, they should be immediately quarantined for 14 days for the protection of our community and our country”.
MP calls for illegal immigrants to be immediately quarantined for 14-day to “protect” Brits
Ms Moreton claimed that such a move “could be done” but suitable accommodation would need to be found.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Immigration Enforcement also have strong processes and procedures in place should anyone arriving in the country clandestinely show symptoms, which adhere strictly to Public Health England guidance. “Decisions to detain are made on a case-by-case basis and kept under constant review, but our priority is to maintain the lawful detention of the most high-harm individuals.”
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Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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