Finally, after many weeks of talk and speculation, and a month since the plans were announced, we finally have some details about the measures and expectations being put into place for hotels being used to quarantine travellers to the UK. A leaked document, which is essentially a specification sent to the hotel industry telling them how and what to prepare, details how the policy will not come into force until the 15th February. Although there has been no official announcement from the government, (although this is expected in the coming days), the document outlines the following measures:
- Passengers will be required to go into quarantine for 11 days (10 nights)
- Security will escort them to their rooms and will also patrol the hotel day and night
- They will be accompanied if they wish to go outside for some fresh air or to have a cigarette
- Use of the laundry service will be available in case any travellers do not have enough clothes
- Three meals a day will be provided, all to be eaten in their own rooms
- On days 2 and 8 of their stay they will be required to take a COVID test
This is welcome news for the hotels taking part in the scheme as they have been asking for guidance and information for some time now. However, there is still a lot of concern that this policy will not come into force until mid-February, meaning hundreds of thousands of travellers will be arriving in the UK between now and when the policy is implemented, leaving many worried about what else might arrive with them.
