This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Close the borders until coronavirus is defeated
We the undersigned are utterly disappointed at the government’s handling of the virus. With a total open door to the rest of the world, our own lockdown measures are utterly futile, and are destroying millions of livelihoods, as well as people’s mental health. People are slowly giving up.
More details
Countries such as New Zealand decided that they would close their borders, and as a result they have largely been able to live in a state of normality. We will not be silent until Britons are properly protected from this virus. Perpetual economic growth is not as important as human lives!
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Related activity
Urgent Question in the House of Commons about Covid protections at the UK border
On Tuesday 26 January there was an Urgent Question put to the Secretary of State for the Home Office about Covid protections at the UK border.
You can watch the response from Priti Patel MP, the Home Secretary, and further questions on the topic here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/736cbd87-af24-491f-bfc9-8ed2cda5b324?in=12:36:19&out=13:27:45
You can read the transcript here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-01-26
What is an Urgent Question?
If an urgent or important matter arises which an MP believes requires an immediate answer from a government minister, they may apply to ask an urgent question.
Find out more about Urgent Questions here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/urgent-questions/
Ministerial statement on health measures at the border
On Wednesday 27 January, the Home Secretary Priti Patel MP gave a statement to the House of Commons on health measures at the border.
The Government have now published further information on the new measures, including managed isolation in hotels and enhanced police checks here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tougher-border-controls-to-protect-public-health
You can watch the statement here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2bbe50a3-636b-4906-8743-5a3a3e1067cb?in=14:47:53&out=15:39:40
Read the transcript here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-01-27/debates/3227B823-BAD0-4AC5-8160-4F7ECC9F9A6D/HealthMeasuresAtUKBorders
Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House, often at short notice. You can find out more about them here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/statements/
MPs to debate Covid security at UK borders
MPs will debate Covid security at UK borders on Monday 1 February in the main House of Commons chamber. This is an Opposition day debate, on a motion determined by the Leader of the Opposition.
Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons for the discussion of subjects chosen by the opposition (non-government) parties.
Watch the debate here: https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/a6ac5191-f789-42ba-a63f-71e9c65ffbb6
Find out more about Opposition days: https://www.parliament.uk/site-information/glossary/opposition-days/