Someone pls explain why I need to quarantine

[FreakishKoala]

I live in Hong Kong. But I'm British. I want to come home at some point to see my grandmother who I fear may not have long left (not corona FYI). But I can't because I would have to quarantine in the Uk and then again back on arrival in HK. That makes a one week visit a 5 week mission.

Hong Kong has no community spread. We haven't had a locally spread case for weeks and all new cases (of which there are very very few) are imported and found early due to (1) testing - every single person that lands here is tested and (2) mandatory quarantine on arrival.

So pls can someone explain to me why I need to quarantine in the Uk after I have come from here? Surely it should only be one way - ie you should quarantine when you return from a higher risk country!?

[notimagain]

Fair question OP..

Yep, it seems a bit odd to have to quarantine coming into the UK in the current circumstances - also there are so many exceptions ( diplomats, politicians, transport workers and other essential workers, the military, and umpteen other categories ) and from what I am hearing is is so weakly enforced that it is certainly not the watertight system some seem to think it is.

IMHO the main reason for it being put in place when it was (late) was a wish by some in power to appear to be doing something...but despite all that fundamentally and has been said "rules is rules" and you are stuck with it.

[confusedbymyheritage]

You have to quarantine because it's 0 tolerance for recreational travellers. If an exception is made for one then everyone will be asking for them, citing their own logic, pleading sob stories. It doesn't matter if you think it's stupid, when you visit a country you abide by their laws and rules - if you don't like them, well then don't travel there.

[SailingAwayIntoSunrise]

[quote FreakishKoala]@titchy fair point re NZ but it's probably worth noting that they traced they pretty sharpish and they haven't suddenly had a massive spread and new death rate from those two people as a result... [/quote]
Yet.

It only happened last week. The transmission and death rate won't have gone up in that short time

Fwiw I don't think NZ is in big trouble from that cock-up but I absolutely support quarantine coming into a country.

The fact you think you should be exempt because you're in HK is irrelevant.

I'm in Australia and we have State borders closed. Which I support. This disease is a nightmare and anything we can do to curb it must be done.

[Jaxhog]

Oh well, that's what the world wants, even if it's quite illogical. Agree with others that you can't insist HK is allowed this measure but other countries aren't.

It ISN'T illogical though, is it. You only think that because it's an inconvenience to you. Rather a selfish perspective really.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I think you're right OP. It makes no sense to quarantine people coming from countries with less Covid. It should have been done in February and March, but now we are the risk to others.