Hotel Quarantines for Travelers from ‘High Risk’ Countries in the UK

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The UK government is set to introduce mandatory hotel quarantine for travelers from high risk countries. Arrivals from dozens of countries deemed “high risk” for coronavirus variants will have to undergo hotel quarantine procedures as the country tries to stop new strains from spreading.

New Policy Measures

According to the new policy, that is to be effective from Monday onwards, all UK citizens and permanent residents entering England from 33 countries on a wider travel ban list to self-isolate in approved hotels for 10 days and take several Covid-19 tests. Visitors from countries on the so-called ‘red list’ are not allowed to enter the country under the lockdown measures. These nations include all the South American countries as well as countries from South Africa and Portugal. The soon-to-be instated policy also postulates that arrivals who are found to have given false information about being in one of the countries at least 10 days before travel could receive up to 10 years in prison. This clause has drawn considerable criticism for being excessive.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock asserted, “The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border.” So far the government has signed contracts with 16 hotels, securing a total of nearly 5,000 rooms near English airports, with a further 58,000 rooms on standby to facilitate this policy.

An Expensive Process

The 11-night quarantine will include transport, food, accommodation and security costs, as well as other essential services and testing. It will roughly amount to £1,750 ($2,420, 2,000 euros). Passengers are needed to have a negative Covid-19 test within 3 days of travel. They also need to book and pay for the package before setting off for Britain. Occupants of hotel rooms will be permitted to leave their rooms for only limited circumstances. They will be administered tests on day 2 and 8 of their hotel stays as well. A fine of 1,000-2,000 euros will be levied on anyone unwilling to take the tests or breaking the mandatory Covid protocols.