Forum Topic

UK maybe added to US travel BAN

Just stated in a press conference that with the numbers going up in the UK we will be looking at the UK being included in the travel Ban.Might be just a trump reply based on someone in the media asking why UK has an exemption given todays rise in numbers. But worth noting if you have plans

Julian Pavey ● 2427d9 Comments

The UK should be closing its borders too. Its incredible that no restrictions are in place. It comes as no surprise that the US wants to include the UK in its travel ban because our government is acting irresponsibly.We have a totally incompetent Health Secretary and a more incompetent Home Secretary.

Steve Taylor ● 2427d

67ish million people in the UK, around 800 declared infections (0.000012%), possibly 10 times undetected infections (0.00012%), and someone seriously thinks closing us to all travel is in any way responsible, proportionate or wise? Sounds like panic.We cannot keep borders closed indefinitely, this is so international, that extermination is not possible. It is here already and is here to stay.We need to manage the spread. What we must do is balance slowing the spread, so that the NHS has lower peaks of workload, while keeping people in jobs, and able to earn a living, while we build up antibodies for the healthy and intervene intensively for the vulnerable.A total lockdown costs jobs, causes bankruptcies, breaks businesses. School closures creates havoc for parents and childcare.I would rather see an expansion of intensive care facilities to cope with the inevitable instead a "King Canute" fiction that closing borders will "get it done".

Christopher Gillie ● 2427d

The UK should be checking those coming in particularly from the known hotspots such as Iran which was reported on here as not happening at Heathrow.  They should be told of our arrangements here or they won't know what to do they become ill.When borders are closed the circuitous routes taken can cause greater risks and problems.Lack of personal control of the ups and downs of the stockmarket must be a blow.

Philippa Bond ● 2427d

"should be checking" - how?My understanding is there no reliable instant test, you need to wait for lab results, so each planeload, trainload, ferryload of passengers need to wait a few days for the results before being "released".I think time/effort/money is better spent ramping up healtch care provisions, as that means after it is over we will have a better NHS instead of more border staff.

Christopher Gillie ● 2427d

Improvements in the quality and extent of health care over the years are inextricably linked to economic growth.  Any travel bans/lock downs will inevitably effect the economy and lead to less money going into other areas of health care.This will particularly effect the poorer third world nations.  Indeed in the absence of much press coverage one wonders what is happening in Africa?  Maybe given wars, famines, locust plagues and the like the coronavirus perhaps barely registers as serious threat.

Philip Coe ● 2427d

I think It’s just a matter of time before the UK is added to US travel ban. if indeed there are 8000 cases now and the virus continues to grow at the same rate, following the same curve as Italy as it has done until now then in two weeks we will have 650,000 cases of which perhaps 6500 will die. The measures most of us are now taking should reduce the rate of growth though as the government have decided to only test those in hospital we will lose track of the data. Whatever happens this will soon get much much worse. If it does go badly then It’s likely other countries all of the whom have taken a different approach to us may also ban travel from the UK. We in the UK are being experimented on in two ways - a psychological experiment in so called behavioural science and, like cultures in a Petri dish, a biological experiment in immunology. Let’s hope the UKs approach is right and everyone else is wrong.

David Turner ● 2426d

Behavioural science is not a science.

Ken Munn ● 2426d

No but our current government seem fond of it.

David Turner ● 2426d

I agree with Christopher Gillie's comments.  Panic mode is NOT the way to deal with this serious problem.  Looking after yourself both younger fitter people and vulnerable older persons is of paramount importance.  Self isolation if necessary and looking our for your neighbours and relatives.  Yes it is going to get a lot worse but we must try to slow the inevitable and reduce a drastic sharp increase in hospital admissions.  Finally, please stop panic buying and stock piling.

Jennifer Selig ● 2426d