What are UK quarantine hotels?
ARRIVALS from 33 countries deemed “high risk” by the UK government will be forced to self-isolate for 10 days at a quarantine hotel from today.
Here is everything you need to know about them.
🦠 Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
What are UK quarantine hotels?
A quarantine hotel is a dedicated facility used to temporarily accommodate arriving travellers, while keeping them totally separate and isolated from the wider public.
This strict regime has proven hugely successful in various countries, which have seen extremely low death tolls as a result.
In Australia’s case, for example, it requires travellers arriving by air to undergo a Covid symptom and temperature check upon arrival at the airport.
Checked luggage is transferred separately to the specially designated accommodation and, as long as they don’t have any symptoms, travellers are also transferred to a hotel or other designated facility.
Once they’ve been taken to a Covid hotel, travellers would be expected to remain in isolation for ten days.
Will I have to quarantine at the hotels?
Quarantine hotels cover arrivals from 33 countries which are already subject to a travel ban and is in place from today.
This is due to concern over mutant strains of coronavirus, including South Africa, Portugal and South American nations, as well as the UAE, including Dubai.
How do the quarantine hotels work?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson explained: “They will be met at the airport and transported directly into quarantine.
“The Department of Health and Social care is working to establish these facilities as quickly as possible.”
show Government appointed security would patrol all floors of the hotels and that guests would have to clean their own rooms.
Security teams will escort guests outside if they need to smoke or get fresh air.
Anyone who is required to quarantine will get three meals a day and unprepared guests can have their laundry done.
All travellers will have to book hotels before travelling through the .
Where are the UK quarantine hotels?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed 16 hotels are to open as quarantine hotels with 5,600 rooms.
The exact hotels involved in the scheme are yet to be revealed, but the Novotel hotel at London Heathrow will be one of them.
Do I have to pay to stay in the hotel?
Yes – arrivals will have to pay £1,750 each for the full 10 days, which includes the room, meals and two negative coronavirus tests.
These have to be booked in before travelling to the UK.
This is a higher cost than Australia and New Zealand, which are up to £1,600 for 14 day quarantine hotels.
Anyone caught breaking the hotel quarantine will face fines up to £10,000.