LONDON, Feb 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — 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 1,750 pound ($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 1,000 pound and 2,000 pound, while those who do not self-isolate could have to pay between 5,000 pound and 10,000 pound.
A limited list of exemptions from the measures include hauliers travelling
from Portugal, defence personnel, visiting forces, government contractors and diplomatic missions.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said 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. — NNN-AGENCIES
