Dame Joan Collins has hit out at the government’s proposed plans to quarantine anyone arriving into the UK, branding the rules ‘unworkable, unfair and unenforceable’.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, the actress, 87, hit out at the ‘ridiculous’ restrictions in a scathing rant, where she said the move was ‘punishing’ families who had been isolating for months.
Her fury comes as it emerged that from Monday, Home Secretary Priti Patel said anyone arriving in Britain from abroad, including Britons, will have to self-isolate for a fortnight.
Fuming: Dame Joan Collins has hit out at the government’s proposed plans to quarantine anyone arriving into the UK, branding the rules ‘unworkable, unfair and unenforceable’
The Dynasty star was clearly frustrated by the new rules and made her feelings very clear on social media.
In an impassioned post, she accused the government on ‘punishing’ families who had ‘blindly obeyed’ lockdown laws and urged Priti Patel to reconsider.
She wrote: ‘This #quarantine rule at airports preventing people wanting to get away for the summer is ridiculous and unfair.
‘Millions of families have blindly obeyed instructions to isolate for months and are now being punished. #pritiplease #PRITIPATEL.’
Unimpressed: Her fury comes as it emerged that from Monday, Home Secretary Priti Patel said anyone arriving in Britain from abroad, including Britons, will have to self-isolate for a fortnight
She then wrote another tweet in which she said it was ‘impossible’ for people to plan their getaways this Summer, suggesting that it was like a betrayal to the hospitality industry.
She fumed: ‘It’s impossible to plan a family summer holiday at the end of June. It’s unworkable, unfair and unenforceable and it’s stabbing the airline and hospitality industry to death. You must reconsider #pritiplease #PRITIPATEL.’
The TV star divided fans with her opinion, with some seeing her point, while others remarked that there’s more important things to worry about than a holiday.
Enraged: Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, the actress, 87, hit out at the ‘ridiculous’ restrictions in a scathing rant, where she said the move was ‘punishing’ families who had been isolating for months
Scathing: She then wrote another tweet in which she said it was ‘impossible’ for people to plan their getaways this Summer, suggesting that it was like a betrayal to the hospitality industry
It’s been reported that Priti Patel insisted 14-day quarantine for UK arrivals is ‘essential to save lives’ today but admitted it will hit businesses hard – and confirmed ‘travel corridors’ are being considered to low-infection countries.
The Home Secretary defied a huge Tory revolt to tell MPs the blanket rule will come into force from Monday, with the next review new due to happen until the end of the month.
With only very limited exceptions for lorry drivers and NHS workers, everyone coming to the country by plane, rail or sea will be ordered to give an address and self-isolate for two weeks, with spot checks from officials.
Comments: ‘It’s unworkable, unfair and unenforceable and it’s stabbing the airline and hospitality industry to death.’
While she was adamant the clampdown was ‘proportionate’ to ensure coronavirus did not spike again, Ms Patel did raise hopes by saying the government is looking at ‘international travel corridors’ to low infection countries in the future.
This isn’t the only time the thespian has shared her strong opinion on the decisions imposed by the UK government amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Last month she criticised the government for being ‘ageist’ to those over the age of 70 amid the ongoing crisis.
In her column for The Spectator, the actress claimed government advice saying elderly people needed to stay indoors during the global pandemic was ‘utter discrimination’.
‘Essential’: It’s been reported that Priti Patel insisted 14-day quarantine for UK arrivals is ‘essential to save lives’ today but admitted it will hit businesses hard – and confirmed ‘travel corridors’ are being considered to low-infection countries
Calling it out: Last month Dame Joan criticised the UK government for being ‘ageist’ to those over the age of 70 amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis
Holding nothing back, she said: ‘I’ve always thought Western society was terribly ageist, and I don’t just mean showbiz folk but across the board.
‘Then the UK government insisted the over-70s, horrible expression, were part of the vulnerables, an even more horrible expression, and should remain in lockdown, the most horrible expression of all, until a vaccine is found.
‘That was utter discrimination against the hardy individuals who have no health issues. But more harmful was bolstering the existing belief among the general public that the old should keep out of everyone’s way.’
The Royals star added that she was declared ‘stunningly healthy’ by her GP on her most recent visit, and has never limited herself by her age, which was true of others too.
Holding nothing back: Joan claimed the government telling those over 70 to stay inside was ‘discrimination’ and ‘harmful’ because of how it allowed the public to treat older people