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London (dpa) - In England, the first returnees have started their mandatory ten-day hotel quarantine.

The passengers concerned were escorted from Heathrow Airport by security officers to coaches on Monday and taken to hotels nearby, the PA news agency reported.

As of Monday, people returning to England from 33 countries on a “Red List” have had to spend the prescribed number of nights in a hotel organized by the government at their own expense.

This applies to the British, Irish and citizens living in Great Britain - otherwise there is an entry ban from the high-risk areas.

The measure is intended to protect the country from the spread of corona variants.

From Europe only Portugal is affected, plus all South American countries as well as states in southern Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

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For passengers who have to be quarantined due to the new regulation, the government initially reserved 4,600 rooms in 16 hotels near the airport.

The stay costs £ 1,750 per person.

Violation threatens draconian penalties: anyone who does not check into one of the specified hotels must pay up to 10,000 pounds.

Up to ten years imprisonment is possible for incorrect information on the mandatory entry form.

In Scotland, the measure even applies to all foreigners.

The opposition Labor Party, for which the border regime in England does not go far enough, advocates that - as in Scotland - all immigrants be placed in monitored quarantine and that there are at most exceptions for countries on a "green" list.

Foreign Minister Dominic Raab rejected this on Sunday.

In England, on the other hand, all those entering from countries not on the “Red List”, including those from Germany, must continue to self-isolate for ten days after arrival.

What is new for everyone is that in addition to a corona test before leaving for Great Britain, they now also have to take two tests in the country - no later than the 2nd and no earlier than the 8th day after entry.

For this a total of 210 pounds (240 euros) is due for each, the proof of the appointment booking must be presented on arrival.

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The government defended the new regulations.

The UK public is expecting tough action, said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

The maximum sentence reflects the gravity of the crime.

In contrast, legal experts criticized that for serious crimes such as sexual abuse, sometimes lower penalties are provided.

London's largest airport, Heathrow, had warned of long queues and problems with the arrival of travelers before the introduction of hotel quarantine.

According to reports, this could even lead to a mix of hotel quarantine travelers and others.

Health Minister Matt Hancock stressed on "Times Radio", however, border officials, airports and government have worked together to ensure the smoothest possible process.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210215-99-450980 / 2

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