Mandatory hotel quarantine - are you in?

It was portrayed as the life line to the hotel industry - but instead is it more likely to be a millstone?

The government gave the hotel industry less than three weeks to decide whether they wanted to be considered a government-approved hotel for UK citizens travelling from "red list" countries.

Many hotels were originally keen to take part in the quarantine scheme, due to the guaranteed income during this global pandemic. However, the onerous government requirements and potential damage to reputation, has meant hotels have been reluctant to sign up. As a result, on Monday 8th February, with only days to go, the government had not awarded a single quarantine contract.  

So what is preventing the hotel industry jumping on this life line? 

• regular covid-testing
• putting staff at risk 
• escorting guests around the hotel   
• demands of providing meals and drinks 
• policing of hotel guests 

Let's hope that some hotels take the plunge soon, as it's estimated 200,000 travellers will fly into the UK from the "red list" in the next few days.