AG百家乐在线官网

Labour says the reimposition of quarantine for Britons returning from Spain has been "shambolic", and Tony Blair says we should prepare for a "resurgence" of COVID-19 in the autumn.

Here are six things we learned from this week's Sophy Ridge On Sunday:

1. No apology from foreign secretary for reimposing self-isolation for arrivals from Spain

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

1:11

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab defended the reimposition of quarantine for arrivals from Spain, saying "we took the decision as swiftly as we could" and "we can't make apologies for doing so".

As of 8pm on Saturday, official Foreign Office travel advice still said that travelling to Spain was safe.

Mr Raab said that was because data needed to be gauged "in real time, which we did".

After that, "decisive action" had been taken, he said.

Any prospect of a traffic light warning system for countries seems unlikely, with the foreign secretary insisting that if ministers gave "vague advice, it would create more uncertainty", adding: "People want to know whether they can go, whether they should go, whether they shouldn't."

2. Employers expected to behave 'flexibly and in an understanding way'

Mr Raab said the UK's success in reducing incidence of the coronavirus owed much to people voluntarily following official advice.

"You are absolutely right in saying there is an element of personal responsibility, but it is also backed up by very clear law and sanctions in relation to non-compliance," he said.

For those now fearing retribution from their employers, the foreign secretary said: "You cannot be penalised in this country lawfully for following the rules and the law."

He said that the government expected employers to behave "flexibly and in an understanding way".

As for refunds, Mr Raab said: "It will be up to holidaymakers to get in touch with their insurance companies."

3. Labour says reimposition of quarantine 'frankly shambolic'

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the decision on Spain was "frankly shambolic".

Mr Ashworth told Sophy he understood why the decision had been made, but demanded "clarity" for holidaymakers in Spain potentially facing two weeks at home on statutory sick pay.

"There are people about to go on holiday to Spain and the islands like Tenerife, who are confused, and they don't know whether their employers will allow them to take two weeks of quarantine," Mr Ashworth said.

He added: "The government just say 'oh, we hope that employers cooperate'. Well, you know, to be frank I hope that I win the lottery on Saturday, (but) it doesn't mean it's going to happen."

4. The UK needs to prepare for a 'resurgence' of COVID-19 in the autumn

Tony Blair joined the programme with a warning that the UK will be "living with COVID-19... for the foreseeable future" and needs to prepare for the possibility of "a resurgence in the autumn".

The former prime minister called on the government to "use the months of August and September" to prepare for a second spike and avoid a "devastating" second national lockdown.

He said: "It's all about controlling (the virus) because if you think that you can't really go back down into lockdown, as we were in say March and April, and I think it's just unrealistic to think we're going to be able to do that because I think the economic consequences, even from the lockdown we've had, are so severe."

5. Tony Blair calls for investigation into allegations of Russian interference in British politics

Sophy's interview with Tony Blair was also a reminder of the issues beyond the pandemic, as the former prime minister called for an investigation into allegations of Russian interference in UK politics.

It follows the release of the long-awaited Intelligence and Security Committee report, which concluded the UK had "badly underestimated" the threat from Russia.

Mr Blair said it would be "sensible to investigate what has happened", adding: "The fact is, you should protect your country and if someone is interfering with your democratic process, you want to know about it."

6. Two ministers are in Spain as their own government reimposes quarantine

A quote regularly attributed to Gore Vidal provides the title for this week's extra moment, which could have been sponsored by schadenfreude. Not one but two ministers have been caught out by their own quarantine.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and small business minister Paul Scully are both on holiday in Spain, with the latter saying on Instagram that his forthcoming two weeks indoors will at least be "worth it".

Mr Shapps' predicament raised a smile from Dominic Raab, who said he had spoken to the transport secretary and it "showed the risk for everyone".

The foreign secretary would not disclose anything about Mr Shapps's mood - though did confirm he himself would be staying at home this summer.

Have a lovely summer - Sophy Ridge On Sunday will be back in September.