Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the oral Answer of 8 June 2021 given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care, Official Report, column 811, on covid-19 positivity rates in Pakistan and India, from what period of time the data for the positivity rates referred to in that Answer were taken; on what date that decision was made; and if he will publish all the advice and information provided to him that informed that decision.

The quoted figures referred to the period 3 to 17 March 2021. The decision to place India on the ‘red list’ was made on 19 April.

All decisions on the ‘red’, ‘amber’ or ‘green list’ assignment and our border regime are taken by Ministers, informed by evidence including the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s analysis as well as other relevant information about the risk of the spread of variants and other wider public health factors. We are unable to provide the information requested as it relates to ongoing development of Government policy.