Thank you for contacting me about the UK Border as the Coronavirus outbreak continues.
I would like to assure you that Ministers in the Home Office and across Government are working hard to ensure the UK immigration and border system can continue to function effectively during the current outbreak.
I know many constituents have raised the issue of checks at UK airports for citizens from countries also tackling the current Coronavirus outbreak.
I have raised this issue with the Home Office and Ministers have confirmed that the procedures at the border strictly follow the very latest public health guidance and this has been the case from the beginning of the outbreak. I believe strongly in the need to follow the science and the guidance is clear that at this moment in time measures such as temperature checks at airports are not effective.
I can also confirm the Home Office is working to ensure Border Force staff have all the relevant Personal Protective Equipment available to them. It is also good news that passengers at airports are being provided with information on symptoms and social distancing processes here in the UK. I am sure you agree that following this advice and guidance is the most important thing anyone can do to stop the spread of this disease, save lives and protect the NHS.
As you will be aware the living conditions and the arrangements of migrants in France are of course a matter for the French Government. However, the UK accepts its responsibilities and I understand Ministers and officials meet regularly with their counterparts in France to work together on tackling illegal migration, as agreed under the Sandhurst Treaty framework. I welcome the fact that this includes UK support to the French asylum system to improve access by those migrants in a vulnerable position.