Tameside holidaymakers fly back to quarantine

A Tameside couple say they were left shocked by the ‘ridiculous’ lack of safety measures and documentation protocol at Manchester Airport, following their holiday to Tenerife.

Susan Flynn and her husband Steven had discussed at length whether they should take their week’s holiday to the popular Canary Island, but decided to go ahead, filling out the Government’s Public Health Passenger Locator Form through EasyJet.

“When we got to Tenerife, before you go through passport control there were five people at desks that asked for your forms - you could print it out or fill it in online, with each form having a barcode,” explained Susan.

“You could not get through control without presenting your form. There are hardly any cases in Tenerife, but then we saw the news that we would have to prepare to quarantine for two weeks upon our return.”

The Dukinfield couple were abroad from July 24 and returned last Friday – enjoying a well-earned break – and were sent another form via email to fill out in order to return to the United Kingdom, which added that they would have to produce the forms at the airport.

Susan said: “We filled out our forms and returned on the Friday afternoon alongside two other flights coming into Manchester Airport – but not one person was asked for these forms.

“The whole place was as normal. There were no measures in place whatsoever. You just picked up your bags and went home. Nobody was checking or enforcing anything, and there will be people who did not fill out those forms so the Government will have no clue where they have been or if they have even come back.

“I did get a phone call from a government department to ask if I would be quarantining and I raised my concerns with the lady who called but she said it was not her field and she couldn’t answer. It’s ridiculous - and dangerous.

“They are going on about the rates of Covid and that Greater Manchester is at risk, yet the airport is not implementing what the Government has set out.”

Joanne Kirkland, from Haughton Green, said she had a similar experience, arriving at Manchester Airport following her holiday in Fuerteventura.

Joanne, who first went on holiday when there were no restrictions on the Canary Islands or Balearics, was told while there that she would have to quarantine upon her return.

However, she said she was ‘gobsmacked’ by the sheer level of precautions being taken abroad.

“Seeing the safety measures they have over there, in terms of the implementation and enforcement of masks, sanitiser, distancing in shops and hotels - it puts our country to shame.

“Our flight was packed, as a flight was cancelled on the Wednesday, but half the people on it had not filled out a re-entry form and were asking for copies on the plane - which they don’t have.

“Passengers were told that they would likely have to stand to one side and fill out the forms, but when we arrived in Manchester all of us just passed through, packed like sardines, with no security measures or checks. How are they going to trace and track a hundred or so people?

“It’s an absolute joke. It makes me so angry, especially since the day before we landed it was announced that Greater Manchester was to be placed back into a partial lockdown.”

Both families have written to Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham regarding their concerns and are awaiting a response, with MP Andrew Gwynne adding that he will take up the matter.

A spokesperson for Manchester Airport said: “The forms and their checks are not under the airport’s control - that comes under the immigration managed by the Home Office and Border Force. Temperature checks are not mandatory for the airport at this time.”

The airport has stated that it has introduced a range of measures to keep all passengers and staff safe, including wearing face coverings, enhanced cleaning, Perspex screens, bookable security slots and temperature checks. Details on all of the measures can be found at www.manchesterairport.co.uk/coronavirus

The airport is also encourages passengers to watch their YouTube video before going to the airport, to ensure they are as prepared as possible. 

You can view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=066EkSedbFo