Quarantine hotel policy criticised

Unions have criticised the government’s failure to fully protect workers dealing with travellers arriving from “red list” countries.

As of last month, travellers arriving in the UK from countries at high risk of coronavirus variants are now required to stay in quarantine hotels for 10 days.

A BBC documentary revealed how the government’s quarantine hotel policy is notably inferior to that of Australia.

The Unite union highlights that, unlike Australia, UK security guards will face risk by having to escort people outside; there is no guidance on the timing of meal deliveries, potentially leading to cross-infections between guests as room doors are opened at the same time; and surgical masks required for staff provide less protection than the superior FFP3 masks required in Australia’s system.