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Written question asked by Viscount Waverley (Crossbench) on Monday, 21 September 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 October 2020. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Monday, 5 October 2020 on behalf of the Home Office.

Undocumented Migrants: Coronavirus

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether migrants crossing the English Channel who are detained by the UK Border Agency receive a COVID-19 test.

Answer

Since we introduced quarantine measures in June, those who have come to the UK in illegally facilitated crossings have been placed in facilities where they must self-isolate for 14 days, given we cannot be certain which countries they have travelled through.

Anyone who is symptomatic will be taken to designated accommodation and tested according to Public Health England guidance.

All immigration removal centres have communicable disease contingency plans, based on guidance by Public Health England (PHE). Measures such as protective shielding, improved hygiene and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being used to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading to vulnerable groups in IRCs.

On 26 March the High Court ruled that the Home Office was taking sensible, precautionary measures in relation to COVID-19 and immigration detention.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL8346
Session
2019-21
Subjects
Detainees Undocumented migrants Screening English Channel UK Border Force Coronavirus
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk