To report someone returning from Spain

[Archie1989]

A friend of my partner has said he has no intention of isolating on his return from Spain. Should I anonymously report them? My mum was on the shielding list and it’s making me quite angry. People who went abroad would know the risks during all of this....and then to refuse to isolate shows such arrogance and disregard for others.

I don’t know this person well and I don’t want to make my partner feel stuck in the middle.

It is very sad she has lost 3 people. But that doesn't mean that reporting someone (especially so obsessively) is actually going to help anyone.

Lots of people are caught up in already being in Spain before the quarantine was announced. Not everyone has secure jobs where they can take 2 more weeks off work or work from home. Some people have their own businesses to run which may be difficult or impossible to do whilst in quarantine.

I think if the quarantine felt proportionate and rational then there would be more support for it. It just feels like a very blunt instrument with so many inconsistencies. You can travel home from the airport on public transport. Go shopping if you need to. The majority of Europe aren't taking the same approach. You can go to Spain but come home via France and not have to quarantine. At the beginning of the virus we were told that as Covid was already here it made no sense to stop travel. But now it's much better under control it makes sense to stop?

I think the issue is there that there appears to be a lack of sense of proportion.

The UK quarantine process, as written, is not designed to put the UK population into a completely sealed box. For example there are necessary exemptions and there's the issue of it being allowable to travel from the inbound port to place of isolation by public transport, possibly stay at a hotel en-route..there are also exemptions that allow one to break isolation ( e.g. going out to get essential supples if the individual lives alone and cannot order in).

Given the process is a bit of a leaky colander I'm not sure checking up on one individual because they may be breaching quarantine is going to be high on the police's list of urgent priorities.

..and TBH I think if I'd have decided I really had to report somebody I'd make one phone call and then leave it alone..

It's like the people who shout abuse at health workers who dare not to be at home or working.

An update. This person returned at the weekend and went out for dinner last night. Having a pizza out was just too important. They are an avid social media poster, but did not post they were out. Possibly to not get found out, so they know they’re doing wrong. Pizza is just far too important, eh?

How do you know?

Who did they go with?

Did the restaurant employ basic safety measures, assuming any customer could be infected?

Did you report him for going out?

Also, this person works from home, so has no financial NEED to go out.

My DP told me. This person said on WhatsApp. I haven’t reported it. He told him “screw the people at risk, so long as you get your pizza”. The person said nothing back.

It looks like your partner is standing up to his friend.

Maybe leave it to him?

As pointed out, it should be the government's job to enforce their own rules. And to ensure public health measures are in place.
Not the public's job to invigilate each other.

@Archie1989

An update. This person returned at the weekend and went out for dinner last night. Having a pizza out was just too important. They are an avid social media poster, but did not post they were out. Possibly to not get found out, so they know they’re doing wrong. Pizza is just far too important, eh?

You need to get a hobby mate.

And fast.

Definitely write that down in your notebook. I suggest taking a camping chair and sitting by their hedge so you are on hand to note down any further transgressions 🙄. How exciting for you op you get to be a little spy!

@MsTSwift

Definitely write that down in your notebook. I suggest taking a camping chair and sitting by their hedge so you are on hand to note down any further transgressions 🙄. How exciting for you op you get to be a little spy!

Absolutely. Before long thanks to your spying/reporting techniques the pizza lover/quarantine breaker’s house will be surrounded. M15 all over it. What a hero you will be!

Just imagine if a man admitted he had been following the activities of a woman in this degree of detail.

Lol @Boogiewoogiebugleboy @MsTSwift @PaulHollywoodsSexGut hilarious.

Just observations. This thread has clearly had a lot of interesting debate and a close poll too.

@Archie1989 I couldn't imagine doing that and would observe quarantine. But I still don't see it my role to police the behaviour of others. Perhaps if his friends (such as your partner) call him out on his behaviour that might have an impact. The risk to anyone is really very minor. In his shoes I'd probably want to take a test so I could feel relatively comfortable I wasn't putting anyone at risk.

Get. A. Life.

I honestly think the risk is so minute that I’d let this obsession go. I am on holiday (not Spain) and will return and quarantine as I (am daft and) follow the rules. BUT we are masked up every time we go anywhere here (including eating outside, until you sit down), the Europeans are way ahead of our complete failure to contain this virus. I am far more worried once I get home to be honest.