Travel news latest: Chaos as people remain in UK quarantine hotels after red list is scrapped

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Thousands of people remain stuck in quarantine hotels, despite the fact the red list has now been cleared of all countries.

As of 4am this morning, all 11 red list countries were scrapped. This means that, from today, anyone arriving into the UK from countries such as South Africa and Nigeria can sidestep a ten-day stint in a managed quarantine facility, and just take a Day 2 test.

The Government has indicated that it will permit the early release of individuals in hotel quarantine, although since this will require a change in the law it will not happen immediately.

“We will look to implement that as quickly as possible and we will set out further specific guidance for affected individuals imminently,” Cabinet Office minister Steve Barclay told the Commons yesterday.

Overnight, people in hotel quarantine were woken to be handed a letter from Tracy Cottis, deputy director of the Managed Quarantine Service at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

It read: “We would ask that you remain in quarantine for the time being until we are able to facilitate an early release from quarantine in line with public health guidelines.”

The Independent reports that nine individuals at one facility exited hotel quarantine this morning, meaning they could face fines of up to £10,000.

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