One in four manufacturers losing business from quarantine rules

Demand to urgently set up 'air bridges' as manufacturers spell out dangers of curbs on international travel

Quarantine rules to halt the spread on coronavirus have resulted in lost business for a quarter of Britain’s manufacturing companies, it is claimed.

The finding comes in new research from MakeUK, the trade body that represents the sector, which comprises 10pc of Britain’s economy and 44pc of the country’s exports.

To prevent further harm to the country’s industrial base, the group is calling for the Government to quickly set up “air bridges” and ease requirements for 14 days isolation after travelling abroad. 

Also known as travel corridors, air bridges allow Britons to visit certain countries with Covid-19 infection rates that are as low as the UK without needing to quarantine for 14 days on their return home.

Stephen Phipson, chief executive of MakeUK, said: “By their very definition the rules were isolationist when they were introduced at a time when we should be doing everything to get industry and trade moving.

“The impact is now being clearly felt and it’s essential that Government moves to relax the rules as a matter of urgency.”

Research by the industry association revealed that 41pc of companies said quarantine rules had negatively affected their business, and 24pc reported having already lost trade as a consequence of them.

A third of manufacturing companies said travel controls meant business was being put at risk because they could not visit new customers abroad.

Others said that their ability to maintain production equipment either at home or abroad was being hampered, as service engineers cannot travel freely.

Mr Phipson warned that the UK risked being left behind as it tries to get its economy back up to speed following the lockdown.

This is because other nations have already eased controls, meaning British companies could miss out on any recovery.

“Given we are already weeks behind other countries in opening our economy, any delay in the opening of air bridges to our main markets means lost business and opportunities," Mr Phipson added.

"Even a short delay isn’t acceptable to manufacturers who are struggling to get back on their feet and resume full operations. The opening must come in to operation with immediate effect.”

The Government is expected to announce on Monday the first countries thta will be included in its travel corridors. 

However, the measures are not expected to come into force until July 4, which Make UK fears could be too late for companies that are struggling.

Dr David Nabarro of the World Health Organisation cautioned the Government against rushing in air bridges.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “We're right at this delicate phase where we can actually push this virus right down, suppress it, and get on with life.

“But if we are just a little bit careless and we get one of these major ‘spreader events’ where a lot of people get ill and then suddenly our health services get overwhelmed again, in the coming months or two we're going to look at each other and feel really frustrated.”

License this content