Sunday saw the introduction of the quarantine period, where most people arriving in the UK will be instructed to self-isolate for a 14-day period. The UK has joined a list of other countries to introduce quarantine measures.

Passengers arriving in the UK will be required to fill out an online locator contact form – providing details of where they will spend their 14 days in self-isolation. Freight drivers, Fruit pickers, Doctors and Scientists will all be exempt from the quarantine period.

It is the worry that this quarantine period will have an adverse effect on many businesses who rely on corporate travel and also disrupt supply chains not just in the UK but other countries as well. Many businesses will see relationships with key markets and trade partners disrupted.

Returning employees to businesses will also be asked to quarantine for 14 days after re-entering the UK. This will have a negative impact on those businesses with a large number of staff who are re-entering the country as they will be unavailable for 2-week period.

Many businesses have argued that the need for this 14-day isolation period is unnecessary and that co-ordinated checks at departure and arrival airports and strong safety measure would eliminate the need for a wholesale quarantine.

The government has mentioned the possibility of negotiating so called “air bridges” which would see agreements with countries who have lower levels of Covid-19 cases, where quarantine periods could be waived.

New arrivals will also be asked to download the governments contact tracing app when available.

It seems as though businesses find themselves caught between the fight against the pandemic and its role to help revive the economy and it will be critical that the government constantly review this policy and asses the effectiveness in order to allow businesses the opportunities they need to start the recovery process.

For further information and guidance please visit our Coronavirus Business Support Hub.