UK faces legal challenge over air bridges unless they are open to 'all EU countries'
THE European Commission has warned the UK could face a legal battle over the plans for air bridges unless it opens them to all EU countries with similar coronavirus rates.in the next few days, which will allow holidaymakers to avoid a 14-day quarantine in the UK.Air bridges which would allow quarantine-free travel may face a legal battle before even being allowedHowever, a commission spokesman said: "Regions in similar health situations in Europe should benefit from the same treatment.
Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, previously admitted: "If you open up the airports and don't open up the Eurotunnel or if you open up to one country but not in relation to others, there is always a risk of a legal challenge." Nearly all EU countries have lower infection rates than the UK but the government criteria are understood to include economic benefits based on the tourist market in each country.
Prof Steve Peers, an expert on EU law at the University of Essex, warned this could be seen as discriminatory.Credit: ReutersPaul Charles, of the PC Agency, said: "It is unlawful to restrict movement to a few corridors, but also unworkable as I could simply drive from Spain across most of the EU anyway."
Some countries have already scrapped their quarantine such as Spain, who welcomed British tourists back last week.Anyone entering the UK, including British nationals, will be forced to self-isolate for two weeks, with fines up to £1,000 if caught flouting the rules.
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