Guidance on the COVID-19 Bill has been released and includes provisions to enable immigration officers to detain a person who is, or may be, infectious. In a worst case scenario, the Home Secretary can request that the ports and airport operators temporarily close and suspend operations if there are Border Force shortages which will cause a significant threat to the UK’s border security.
The government could be forced to delay all its proposed changes to the immigration system due to COVID-19, according to Eurasia Group – a political risk research consultancy. This delay should enable the Government time to reconsider the position with respect to the future immigration system and the implementation of provisions for ‘low skilled’ workers.
We are following all the developments relating to the coronavirus emergency closely, especially with regards to its impact on UK immigration matters. Please do keep updated with our further blogs and bulletins on this site.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2020
Consultant and trainee solicitor in our Corporate Team