Red List Countries and Quarantine Hotel Requirements

February 2021 | Reading time: 3 minutes

What are the new quarantine requirements?

New information has been released regarding quarantine measures when travelling back to the UK, from ‘red list countries.’ (see full list here). Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that travellers will have to stay in a hotel for 10 days. There is a charge of £1,750 for one person to quarantine, and the price includes the cost of the hotel, transport, and testing. Additionally, the rate for an extra person, aged over 12, is £650. For ages of five to 12, it is an additional £325.

Are the rules the same for people who do not live in England?

Travellers entering Scotland by air will have to quarantine, as per the new regulations. However, due to not having any direct international flights, people travelling back to Wales and Northern Ireland will have to book hotels in England.

When do the new requirements start?

From Monday 15th February 2021, the new quarantine requirements come into force. Hotel rooms will be available to book online from Thursday 11th February 2021. Delivering a statement in the Commons, Mr Hancock said 16 hotels have been contracted for the programme, with 4,600 rooms secured.

How will the new quarantine rules affect travelling from ‘red list’ countries?

A negative Covid-19 test will need to be presented to travel back to the UK from ‘red list’ countries, up to 72 hours before your flight. Upon arrival in the UK, travellers must quarantine in a designated hotel for 10 days. During the 10 days, travellers must stay in the hotel room, and tests will be taken on days two and eight during the stay.  The arrangements for quarantine need to be made before flying back to the UK. Booking a hotel can be done online, using an advanced booking system.

How do I book a ‘quarantine hotel’?

Accommodation must be booked in advance through an online booking system.

Upon arrival into the UK, travellers will be escorted straight to their hotel rooms and remain there for 10 nights. Some hotels may allow exercise, and security guards will accompany travellers if they go outside of the hotel.

Travellers can only enter the UK at five airports:

• Heathrow
• Gatwick
• London City
• Birmingham
• Farnborough Airfield

What will happen if the new requirements are not met?

The government will enforce a fine of £10,000 or a prison sentence of up to 10 years. Travellers arriving in the UK need to have passenger locator forms filled in with the correct information.

For more travel-related information, be sure to visit our travel advice portal.