Overseas business leaders will be allowed to escape self-isolation when they arrive in England if their work is likely to be of significant economic benefit, the government has announced.
But critics have condemned the change in the rules saying it represents “one rule for the rich and another for the rest”.
Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner described the move as an “offensive slap in the face” for the lowest paid workers, who she said had got the country though the coronavirus crisis.
The new policy comes as the UK faces a surge in cases in the Delta variant of Covid-19 first identified in India.
Yesterday the UK reported the highest daily rise in cases since January 30, with another 22,868 confirmed.
An update published on the gov.uk website says that “eligible senior executives can again leave self-isolation if they are undertaking business activities which are likely to be of significant economic benefit to the UK”.
It adds: “You must tell the government if you wish to use this exemption.” Only those who receive written permission from the government will be allowed to use the exemption.
The mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said the change was the “wrong move at the wrong time. It can’t be one rule for the rich and another for the rest.”
Ms Rayner said: “Sorry for the unparliamentary language but this just takes the pi**.It is the lowest paid working people who have got our country through this crisis, risking their lives on the frontline. This is an offensive slap in the face for them and shows this government’s true colours.”
Even Conservatives were critical. Nick Timothy, Theresa May’s former adviser, said: “It’s time to get back to normal for everyone, not just elites.”
Former England player Gary Neville tweeted: “That’s it. Do what you want everyone. It’s over …. We all bring value to the economy!”
Downing Street defended the quarantine exemption for business chiefs.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Protecting public health is our number one priority and that’s why those exemptions will only apply in truly exceptional circumstances.
“Many other countries have introduced similar exemptions and it’s important the UK public don’t lose out on prospective major investments and new jobs as a result of that.”
He added: “This is about making limited exemptions when people can prove they are looking to make significant major investments that would benefit the UK public and provide more jobs.”
Executives wishing to travel can be exempt if the purpose of their visit is to establish a new business in the UK or make a financial investment in a UK-based business.
They will need to show “significant economic benefit”, considered to be a greater than 50 per cent chance of creating or preserving at least 500 UK-based jobs, or creating a new UK business within two years.
They will not qualify if their activities can be carried out remotely or by another person.
Airlines are among those who have been pushing hard for restrictions to ease. Expert warns that sales of business-class and first-class seats, which generate the largest profits, have fallen sharply since the pandemic and the move to remote working.
