London’s famous five star hotels demand end to ‘unworkable’ quarantine rules for tourists

The bosses of London’s most famous five star hotels including The Ritz, The Savoy, Claridge’s and The Dorchester, have written to Priti Patel demanding that she scrap her “poorly thought out and unworkable” quarantine rules for tourists.

A total of more than 70 leading figures from the tourism sector told the Home Secretary that the requirement for people arriving in Britain to self isolate for 14 days is “the very last thing” the already “severely challenged” industry needs in the run up to the peak summer season.

The letter warns the Government that it “must not exceed its mandate” to control coronavirus by introducing measures that will harm a major part of the British economy that supports around four million jobs.

It adds: “The people of this country do not wish to be prevented from travelling. The government itself has urged people to use their common sense in terms of their behaviour.

“Quite simply, it is time to switch the emphasis from protection to economic recovery, before it is too late.”

The letter goes on to urge the Home Secretary “to abandon the concept of mandatory quarantine and instead, champion an industry that provides not only a major economic contribution to the whole of the UK, but also such joy to so many people. “

Ms Patel announced last week that from June 8 anyone arriving at any British airport or port will have to stay indoors for 14 days to prevent any risk of them passing on the disease. The mandatory quarantine will be enforced by spot checks and the threat of fines of up to £1000.

It has been introduced for an indefinite period but will be reviewed after three weeks. One of the most popular destinations for British travellers, France, has already retaliated with a similar tit for tat quarantine requirement.

Travel bosses have estimated that a lengthy imposition could knock £25 billion off the revenues of the London tourism sector this summer.

George Morgan-Grenville, chief executive of tour operator Red Savannah, who organised the letter, said: “Signatories to this letter are more used to competing ferociously but, on this issue, we are united. The quarantine plans are poorly thought-out, wholly detrimental to industry recovery and are more or less unworkable.”

Other leading figures who have signed it include Sir Rocco Forte, chairman and chief executive of Rocco Forte Hotels; Thomas Kochs, managing director of the Corinthia London hotel; and Jeremy Goring, chief executive of The Goring hotel in Victoria.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “As the world begins to emerge from what we hope is the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, we must look to the future and protect the British public by reducing the risk of cases crossing our border.

“We continue to support businesses in the tourism sector through one of the most generous economic packages provided anywhere in the world. However, it is right that we introduce these new measures now to keep the transmission rate down and prevent a devastating second wave.”

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