This Morning’s travel expert has been criticised over “irresponsible” information given to viewers on how to get around self-isolating if you are returning to the
UK from Spain.
Over the weekend, the government announced new quarantine rules that force
British people visiting Spain into a two-week self-isolation period upon their return home, due to a spike in
Coronavirus cases there.
On Monday, the ITV daytime show hosted a segment with travel expert Simon Calder on the changes, in which he outlined a loophole by where travellers could “leave the country again” upon returning to the UK to “reduce the two weeks of quarantine”. After a caller – Emily, who is currently on holiday in
Spain – phoned into the show asking what she should do about another upcoming holiday to
France which would be impacted by her quarantine period, Simon said: “Not only can you go to France, arguably you should do.
“A lot of people in Spain will think let’s come back and we’ll go into France, some will think we’ll come back through France. That doesn’t excuse you from quarantine but it does mean that rather than being in quarantine stuck at home, not able to go out, not even able to walk the dog, you’re somewhere lovely in France...
“Leaving the country is fine. You just say I would love to quarantine for 14 days, but in a week’s time I’m going to France, so I’ll be off then, see you later.”
While Simon insisted that he “did not write the rules” when challenged by presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, he was criticised online for explaining how travellers could get round them.Its a bit irresponsible of @itv to give people ideas on avoiding quarantine on #thismorning. This isn't a game, it's literally life or death for some people!— Fi 🌊⛱🌊🍦🌊 (@Fibutton) July 27, 2020Cannot believe the travel advisor on #ITV#thismorning advised ppl to go to France instead of stay quarantined at home on their return from Spain to UK ffs how irresponsible...— Misty eyed Kiya 🇬🇧🇪🇺🌹 (@xKiyax) July 27, 2020Irresponsible @SimonCalder on @thismorning actively giving out advice on how people can exploit loopholes on government advice to avoid quarantine when returning from abroad. #publichealth is everyone’s responsibility! #COVID19#thismorning— Dr Michelle Bellingham (@Dr_M_Bellingham) July 27, 2020Did anyone else just hear the absolutely appalling travel advice on @thismorning? Effectively advising people how to avoid 2 week quarantine rules & telling someone to travel to France a week after returning from Spain. This is a pandemic, @itv you should be ashamed #thismorning— Laura Townsend (@NoryTownsend) July 27, 2020This is one of the most astonishingly stupid pieces of television I can remember. Dangerous advice from their ‘expert’, it’s essentially how to get around the rules. The UK is insane. #thismorning#itv@thismorningpic.twitter.com/KYK0WaQT0A— Craig Speer (@Craig_Speer) July 27, 2020I am appalled that @thismorning are spreading advice about how to avoid the 2 week quarantine rule after returning from Spain. THIS IS HOW THE VIRUS SPREADS. STOP SPREADING THIS INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!! #thismorning— Jessica Grimmel (@JessicaGrimmel) July 27, 2020Can't believe what I just heard on @thismorning how can you allow advice on how to avoid a quarantine that has been put in place to keep us all safe!? So irresponsible!! Please help me understand how this is okay!? #thismorning— A M Y (@AimoKP) July 27, 2020#thismorning@ITV disgusting advice from Simon on exploiting loopholes in Spanish / U.K. quarantine rules. How unprofessional and reckless.— Mr Grumps (@realmrgrumps) July 27, 2020#ThisMorning Stop with the "loopholes " that's exactly how we had the situation with Cummings and others, taking the piss.Its simple, come back, stay at home and self isolate for 14 days end of.— Blossom (@Dc7073Bloss) July 27, 2020So irresponsible of #ThisMorning to be actively sharing ways to take advantage of the guideline loopholes.— Amy Andrews (@AmyJAndrews) July 27, 2020@thismorning#thismorning omg what irresponsible tv reporting telling people to come home the go to the airport and go to other parts of Europe let’s just spread this all over again, Simon Calder you should be ashamed😡😡😡— elaine_bale (@elainebale2) July 27, 2020Imagine on #ThisMorning a lady is being told to not fully quarantine when she gets back from Spain and just go to another country. So we’ll all just reinfect everyone shall we by not quarantining and travelling round the world🙄🤔— Dani Toyn (@_danitoyn) July 27, 2020@thismorning why is Simon encouraging people to spread the virus between different countries? Idiotic #ThisMorning— LUCY (@lucyjones____) July 27, 2020The idea was also rejected by the caller, who said: “My kids are in Majorca and in a logical sense, if one of them picks up the virus or I pick it up here and we get back together at home – I’m assuming we should be self-isolating separately – but if we go on a holiday to France, surely we are potentially infecting others, and that for me is irresponsible.”
Later during the segment, presenters Eamonn and Ruth tried to provide some more clarity to viewers.
Eamonn said: “We are trying to get an update on this quarantine situation whereby us reading the Department for Transport website, we believe you come into the country and you’ve got to quarantine if you’ve been in Spain for 14 days, at the address at which you are registered.”
As Simon directed them to Public Health Coronavirus Protection Rules 2020 website, Ruth then added: “It’s a grey area. I think as a programme we have to go with government advice, which is if you are coming back from Spain you have to stay in quarantine for 14 days.”
A This Morning spokesperson also echoed Ruth’s statement when contacted by HuffPost UK for comment on criticism of the segment.
The Department for Transport’s website quotes advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), which states that people “will still need to self-isolate when returning from anywhere in Spain as well as the Canary and Balearic Islands because self-isolation arrangements are put in place on the basis of risk to the UK as a whole”.
The FCO is also advising against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, leaving close to 1.8 million summer holidays facing uncertainty. READ MORE: Here's What We Know About The New Spain Quarantine Rules 'Sense Of Panic' As 1.8m Holidaymakers Faced With Spain Quarantine Rules