Travellers to the UK could be forced to pay for their own two-week stay in quarantine hotels as government officials mull new plans to stop new variant of Covid-19 from entering the UK.
The system reportedly being discussed with some hotel groups is already in operation in Australia. It will see new arrivals in the UK staying in their hotel rooms for up to a fortnight at their own cost.
This arrangement may cost travellers up to £1,500 (about N800,000).
The UK Daily Mail reports that the British government dreads a situation that a new Covid-19 variant that is resistant to the currently available vaccines may be imported.
Similar systems have been used in Australia, which recorded just 204 new Covid-19 cases in the last 14 days, and New Zealand, which recorded just 81 cases in the last fortnight.
The Australian Government initially covered the quarantine hotel costs at the start of the pandemic.
But those entering Australia since July have been forced to pay up to £1,500 for the two-week quarantine stay in some parts of the country.
Designated quarantine hotels apply strict Covid-19 protocols, including kitting their staff in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Currently all travellers coming to the UK must provide a negative test before travel, before isolating for up to 10 days at a fixed address. They can leave if they test negative after five days.
