The United Kingdom has released the much expected ‘red list’ countries to which a new set of travel restrictions will be applied from next Monday.
Contrary to earlier reports, Nigeria was not listed among the 33 countries regarded as Covid-19 hotspots.
However, Nigerians wishing to go to the UK must avoid visiting Dubai 10 days prior, as UAE is on the red list. Lying attracts up to 10 years in prison.
On the red list are South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Others are, Eswatini, Chile, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores), Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Seychelles, Suriname, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uruguay, Venezuela and Ecuador.
Travellers are expected to have to pay £1,750 (about N923,000) to quarantine in a three-star hotel where rooms normally cost £50. Some of the hotels are said to be in depressing situations.
For those travelling as a family, the cost is higher. Additional adults must pay £650 each and children between five and 12 will pay £325 each while under-fives will be free.
In essence, a family of four with children under 12 will pay more than £3000 (about N1,581,438)
MailOnline reports that the Thistle, a rundown hotel close to Heathrow Terminal 5, is believed to be among the hotels designated as quarantine facilities.
All guests will be served airline-style food left at their door, change their own sheets and towels and be accompanied by security if they want fresh air or a cigarette outside.
Red List arrivals will be required to test negative for coronavirus 72 hours before departure, using a kit that meets UK government standards.
They will be tested again on day two and day eight of quarantine, with costs included in the wider charge of the hotel stay.
The same requirement for a negative test result 72 hours before departure applies to travellers from non-red list countries.
Once in the UK, they must isolate for 10 days at home or in private accommodation, with the authorities able to check that they are obeying the rules.
Tests will be required on day two and day eight of isolation, and must be booked -through a government portal in advance of travel. The portal will be launched on Thursday.
The costs are not yet known but PCR tests typically cost around £120 a time.
The test and release scheme – which allows non-‘red list travellers’ to leave isolation if they test negative after five days is staying in place. Many essential business travellers are likely to take this option.
Read more here.
