Nick Thomas-Symonds on Government failure to secure hotel agreements ahead of quarantine system

"It beggars belief that no agreements have been made with hotels, just a few days before the quarantining system is due to begin. It will be over 50 days since the South African strain was identified and nearly a year since other countries have been successfully implementing hotel quarantine.

"Even when these measures eventually do begin, scientists have made clear that the limited way they are being introduced will be insufficient to stop mutant strains of the virus reaching the UK, potentially putting the gains of the vaccine at risk. Conservative incompetence is yet again putting people at risk."

Ends

Notes to editors:

· A Number 10 spokesperson today said that: “Last week the Department of Health issued a commercial specification to hotels near ports and airports. This asked for proposals on how they could deliver managed quarantine facilities. No formal contracts have been awarded yet.”