Ryanair CEO Blasts Quarantine as a 'Fig Leaf' That Doesn't Work

The UK had to be put on a month-long lockdown amid a major surge in the number of infected and deaths from coronavirus. However, the country is expected to return to a three-tier system next month, with restrictions varying by areas, depending on the pandemic situation.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has criticised the English quarantine system for travellers, also blasting quarantines in general as "unenforceable".

He also noted that the Irish company expects the load factor on its flights in November to be in the mid-60% range.

All those arriving in Britain must undergo 14-day self-isolation (5 days if they have a negative coronavirus test), except for a "travel corridor" list that includes Ireland. However, according to media reports, the restrictions will end by Christmas so that Britons can travel to high-risk countries to visit their relatives.

A view of the near empty departure area at London's Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 departure, Thursday March 12, 2020. As a virus pandemic spreads globally, China and other parts of Asia are scrambling to prevent it from coming back to where it broke out. Everyone arriving in Beijing must quarantine for 14 days, and South Korea is screening arriving passengers from more countries as the number of cases rises across Europe. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

© AP Photo / Steve Parsons

In June, the businessman had commented on the situation in the UK, saying that the quarantine system "is going to do untold damage to British tourism", adding that it will also prove "useless and ineffective".

While Ireland has confirmed over 70,00 COVID-19 cases and 2,000 deaths so far, the coronavirus tally in the UK is 1.5 million. Britain also has the highest death toll in western Europe and fifth-highest in the world, as over 55,000 people have succumbed to the virus, with England being the main centre of the outbreak.