England's quarantine hotels open in bid to keep COVID variants out

[webfact]

England's quarantine hotels open in bid to keep COVID variants out

 

FILE PHOTO: An airplane flies over a Travelodge hotel at Heathrow Airport, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in London, Britain, February 12, 2021. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Passengers arriving in England from Monday from any of 33 “red list” countries will have to spend 14 days quarantined in a hotel room under new border restrictions designed to stop new variants of the coronavirus.

 

The launch of the system, which had already been set out earlier this month, marks the government’s latest effort to prevent another relapse into crisis after a second wave of a more contagious COVID-19 variant forced the country into a prolonged lockdown at the start of the year.

 

New cases, deaths and hospitalisations are falling sharply and the rollout of vaccines has reached more than 15 million people, but ministers are still wary that new mutations from overseas might unravel that progress.

 

“As this deadly virus evolves, so must our defences,” health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement. “The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border.”

 

The government has lined up 4,963 hotel rooms that must be booked in advance as part of a ‘quarantine package’. These hotels will have a “visible security presence”, the government said. A further 58,000 rooms are on standby.

 

Countries on the red list include South Africa and Brazil - both of which have seen variants of the virus that could reduce the efficacy of existing vaccines.

 

Ministers have been criticised by opponents for being too slow to close the door to new variants, having first announced plans for hotel quarantine in January.

 

Arrivals from countries not on the red list are required to quarantine at home for 10 days and take two COVID-19 tests.

 

The tougher quarantine restrictions also carry heavy fines and penalties with potential prison sentences of up to 10 years.

 

(Reporting by William James; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-15

 

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[Tofer]

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

England's quarantine hotels open in bid to keep COVID variants out

 

FILE PHOTO: An airplane flies over a Travelodge hotel at Heathrow Airport, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in London, Britain, February 12, 2021. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Passengers arriving in England from Monday from any of 33 “red list” countries will have to spend 14 days quarantined in a hotel room under new border restrictions designed to stop new variants of the coronavirus.

 

The launch of the system, which had already been set out earlier this month, marks the government’s latest effort to prevent another relapse into crisis after a second wave of a more contagious COVID-19 variant forced the country into a prolonged lockdown at the start of the year.

 

New cases, deaths and hospitalisations are falling sharply and the rollout of vaccines has reached more than 15 million people, but ministers are still wary that new mutations from overseas might unravel that progress.

 

“As this deadly virus evolves, so must our defences,” health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement. “The rules coming into force today will bolster the quarantine system and provide another layer of security against new variants at the border.”

 

The government has lined up 4,963 hotel rooms that must be booked in advance as part of a ‘quarantine package’. These hotels will have a “visible security presence”, the government said. A further 58,000 rooms are on standby.

 

Countries on the red list include South Africa and Brazil - both of which have seen variants of the virus that could reduce the efficacy of existing vaccines.

 

Ministers have been criticised by opponents for being too slow to close the door to new variants, having first announced plans for hotel quarantine in January.

 

Arrivals from countries not on the red list are required to quarantine at home for 10 days and take two COVID-19 tests.

 

The tougher quarantine restrictions also carry heavy fines and penalties with potential prison sentences of up to 10 years.

 

(Reporting by William James; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-15

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

Good news! It's high time the UK imposed stronger restrictions on incoming travellers. Better late than never...

 

Now all we need to do is erect a barrier in the Channel to frustrate the illegal migrants.

 

Moreover, it's a small boost for the hospitality industry providing the quarantine service.

[RuamRudy]

Itv news reporting that only 40-50% of the money paid my the arrivees for their quarantine stay will be given to the hotel; the rest goes to G4S who provide minimum-wage security. 

 

That will teach the hotel owners to cough up more to the tories in future. 

[2530Ubon]

Almost a year too late.

1,750 GBP to stay in a hotel for ten days? WHAT ARE THEY DOING? I could rent a couple of houses for a month at that price. (I think - it's been a few years since I was last home!)

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-56064759

Quote

They will have to pre-book and pay £1,750 to spend 10 days quarantining in government-sanctioned hotels.

 

Edited February 15, 2021 by 2530Ubon

[Surelynot]

New Tory motto going into the next election......."Too little, too late......always behind the curve".

[from the home of CC]

what's ironic is that British travelers most likely spread this pox to some of 'red lit' countries to begin with. An outbound travel restriction months ago could of saved many lives.. 

[keith89]

1 hour ago, from the home of CC said:

what's ironic is that British travelers most likely spread this pox to some of 'red lit' countries to begin with. An outbound travel restriction months ago could of saved many lives.. 

Totally agree with you and also stopped the illegal immigrants as well from france

[Jumbo1968]

China is not on the quarantine list nor the States, only one European country Portugal ?

[Rinrada]

From Thailand .to uk...avoid any "red " countries.. just book a hotel from 29 quid a night ..and sit tight for 10 days..Order a local PCR kit x 2...also bung the porters/conciege to deliver a daily case of beer ...bucket of KFC..and a loaf of bread..Time will fly in..and you will have complied with the Law..yes

[Jumbo1968]

Just now, Rinrada said:

From Thailand .to uk...avoid any "red " countries.. just book a hotel from 29 quid a night ..and sit tight for 10 days..Order a local PCR kit x 2...also bung the porters/conciege to deliver a daily case of beer ...bucket of KFC..and a loaf of bread..Time will fly in..and you will have complied with the Law..yes

Thailand isn’t on the quarantine list.

[spiekerjozef]

Are they sure this is for covid and not for the Spanish flu ?

I mean isn't this a bit late ?

[vinny41]

5 hours ago, Rinrada said:

From Thailand .to uk...avoid any "red " countries.. just book a hotel from 29 quid a night ..and sit tight for 10 days..Order a local PCR kit x 2...also bung the porters/conciege to deliver a daily case of beer ...bucket of KFC..and a loaf of bread..Time will fly in..and you will have complied with the Law..yes

You are required to book and pay for the 2 tests before you fly, if you flying to england book and pay for a travel test package, which will include COVID-19 tests to be taken on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of your quarantine

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england