Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the scientific assessment supporting the decision not to subject people arriving in the UK to checks for covid-19.

The Government considers advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) before adopting new policies and interventions in relation to COVID-19. SAGE relies on external science advice, including advice from expert groups and their papers. In the case of COVID-19, this includes the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG). The agendas and minutes of meetings of NERVTAG are available online at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/new-and-emerging-respiratory-virus-threats-advisory-group

The Government has recently published online statements and accompanying evidence which demonstrate how our understanding of COVID-19 has evolved as new data has emerged. These statements are available online at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response