LONDON, Feb – The UK government will on Monday introduce
mandatory hotel quarantine rules for arrivals from dozens of countries deemed
“high risk” for coronavirus variants, as it tries to stop new strains
spreading.
The new policy requires 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.
Other visitors from the countries currently on the so-called “red list”,
which includes all South American nations, South Africa and Portugal, are
currently barred from visiting under lockdown rules.
Arrivals found to have given false information about being in one of the
countries 10 days before travel could receive up to 10 years in prison —
which has drawn criticism for being excessive.
The government says it has signed contracts with 16 hotels so far, securing
nearly 5,000 rooms near English airports, with a further 58,000 rooms on
standby.
“The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and
provide another layer of security against new variants at the border,” said
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, adding that they would also protect the
national vaccination programme as the country worked “towards restoring
normal life”.
The 11-night quarantine will cost people o1,750 ($2,420, 2,000 euros) and
includes transport, food, accommodation and security costs, as well as other
essential services and testing.
Passengers must have a negative Covid-19 test result from within three days
of travel, and book and pay for the package before setting off for Britain.
They will then take further tests on day two and eight of their stays.
The hotel occupants will only be able to leave their rooms in “very limited
circumstances”, with exercise among them but requiring “special permission”
from staff or security.
Anyone refusing to take tests risks a fine of between o1,000 and o2,000,
while those who do not self-isolate could have to pay between o5,000 and
o10,000.
A limited list of exemptions from the measures include hauliers travelling
from Portugal, defence personnel, visiting forces, government contractors and
diplomatic missions.
– ‘Can’t be easy’ –
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Sunday the new regime would provide
“extra safeguarding” as Britain looks to ease strict lockdown measures next
month after weeks of falling infection rates.
“We think we’ve got the right balance — robust measures, but targeted
measures,” he told Sky News, branding calls for a blanket travel ban
disproportionate.
The UK government unveiled the plans earlier this month following pressure
to tighten Britain’s borders amid fears foreign virus variants could derail
the country’s so far successful mass vaccination programme.
It has vaccinated 15 million of the most vulnerable people with a first
jab, and is looking to inoculate all over-50s by May.
Ministers last month scrapped the previous “travel corridors” system that
allowed unchecked travel from countries with lower caseloads.
The UK now requires all arrivals from non-“red list” countries to show
negative Covid-19 tests and then self-isolate for 10 days at a place of their
own choosing.
However, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has urged the UK
government to impose the new hotel quarantine system on arrivals from every
country.
Her devolved government was still finalising plans over the weekend to
impose a blanket policy on those landing directly in Scotland from Monday.
But it is unclear if they will include preventing arrivals travelling on to
Scotland from England.
Wales, which receives fewer international arrivals than its larger UK
neighbours, has said it will not adopt hotel quarantines while Northern
Ireland is still to decide.
The British government said it had met with stakeholders from various
sectors including aviation and hospitality ahead of finalising its plans.
Charlie Islam-Harry, manager of the St Giles Heathrow hotel, said staff
would do regular welfare checks on guests during their enforced stays.
“It can’t be easy for them to be in a bedroom for 10 days, not having to go
anywhere,” she told AFP.
“But obviously while they are quarantined we try to keep as much distance
as possible because we obviously don’t know their health situation.”