‘Rushed’ policy: Those facing financial hardship could get discounts on UK quarantine bills
Incoming travellers from red list countries may soon be able to apply for discounts or waivers on quarantine costs if they are facing financial hardship, according to reports.
UK government lawyers said the Department of Health and Social Care was “currently in the process of refining their scheme to allow persons entering the managed quarantine system to apply for a fee waiver or reduction on the grounds of financial hardship”, the Guardian first reported.
The costs have been widely criticised – costing £1,750 for one adult to stay in a room for the required 10 days of quarantine, with additional adults costing £650 and children aged five to 11 £325.
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Quarantining in the UK for travellers from red list countries is mandatory, and could land arrivals who do not follow the rules a £10,000 fine.
‘One-size-fits-all’
Law firm PGMBM has been reviewing the hotel quarantine policy since February.
“This policy was rushed through parliament and introduced without due thought as to how its one-size-fits-all application would penalise vulnerable citizens and residents,” PGMBM senior associate, Taylor Burgess, said.
Currently, those struggling financially can only apply for a deferred repayment plan when booking, which must be repaid in instalments across 12 months.
The government is now applying for an eight-week stay of proceedings to update the policy to include a waiver or cost reduction for those needing help.
“We are very pleased that our challenge has led the government to review the policy, yet it remains frustrating that it has taken legal action for changes to be made,” Burgess added.
The PGMBM associate criticised the “exorbitant costs” travellers have been subject to over the past several months.
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