Since February, a 10-day hotel quarantine is required for travelers returning to the UK coming from a country part of their “red list”. The red list includes more than 30 countries having a high number of COVID19 cases.
However, many are against hotel quarantine protocol. The reason is simple. Travelers pay for the quarantine at their own expense. Not only are they going to pay for the hotel accommodation, but they are also going to cover the COVID19 test. If a person’s test comes back positive, the quarantine will be longer. The cost can reach up to £1,750 per individual.
MPs demanded the government to show a concrete plan on how it is going to ease travel restrictions by April 12. UK government revived the Global Travel Taskforce, which is set to submit a report on April 12 discussing the reopening of international leisure travel.
Due to the alarming number of cases worsened by the new variants, the UK government banned non-essential travel abroad. The earliest resumption of non-essential travel is on May 17.
Transport Select Committee chair Tory MP Huw Merriman said that the government should explain “when and how the current quarantine schemes will be phased out”.
Hotel Quarantine is Shambolic and Ineffective?
Chief executive of Ryanair Michael O’Leary told MPs that the hotel quarantine is a “PR stunt”. He also described it as “shambolic and ineffective”. He added that “it will play no role in keeping out the COVID virus”.
Tough Measures for False Information
UK government announced harsh penalties for those who will intentionally give false information on their travel history. Fines up to £10,000 or a 10-year prison sentence is waiting for individuals who will be caught.
Despite already starting the vaccination program, health officials fear that vaccines are not as effective against newer virus strains. The UK variant is capable of spreading faster than earlier strains. Also, in a recent study, it was discovered that the UK variant is 100% deadlier than other variants.
