Mandatory hotel quarantine will begin on 15th February

The government has confirmed that from the 15th of February travellers entering the UK from a country on the travel ban list will be required to quarantine in a government-approved hotel

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed that from the 15th of February anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK’s travel ban list will be ordered to quarantine in a government-approved facility for a period of 10 days.

The DHSC issued a commercial specification to airports and ports yesterday (Thursday 4th February) asking them to propose how they would support the delivery of Managed Quarantine Facilities prior to formal contracts being awarded.

The government has met with stakeholders from across the aviation, maritime, hotel and hospitality industry, over the past week and it will continue to finalise plans to enable implementation from 15th February.

Further details will be set out next week on how passengers will be able to book into the designated accommodation facilities.

A DHSC spokesperson said:

“Throughout the pandemic, the government has put in place proportionate measures, informed by the advice of scientists, and that has led to some of the toughest border regimes in the world. It is currently illegal to go on holiday, and passengers travelling to the UK must provide proof of a negative test before they travel, and self-isolate on arrival. With increased police presence at airports and more physical checks at addresses to make sure people are self-isolating, we are taking decisive action.

“We are now working at pace to secure the facilities we need to roll out managed quarantine for British nationals returning home from the most high-risk countries, and are rightly engaging with representatives from the hospitality, maritime and aviation industry, and learning from our friends around the world. In the face of new variants, it is important that the government continues to take the necessary steps to protect people and save lives.”