Enforced Hotel Quarantine

Kenneto

My wife travelled to Kenya in January this year to work on research for her PhD. She had only intended being there for 3 or 4 weeks during which time the President of Kenya imposed a travel ban. Coupled with this British Airways stopped their daily flights in and out of Kenya - consequently she has been stuck there for nearly five months now.  Flights are due to resume early July but as Kenya is on the red list she will need to quarantine in an hotel in London upon her return. Being stuck in Kenya has totally exhausted all of our funds and whilst she realizes she will have to stay in London for 10 days we cannot afford the huge £1850+ bill. Does anyone please know of any way this cost can be spread over a length of time? We are not trying to get out of paying if we really have to but cannot afford the lump sum. 

Westin

The gov.uk site doe say - "For those facing significant financial hardship as a result of this charge, there will be an opportunity to apply for a deferred repayment plan when booking. You will be required to pay back your debt to the government in 12 monthly instalments."  - although I think this is for exceptional reasons.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-england

Grumpy_chap

Westin said:

- although I think this is for exceptional reasons

It does sound like the OP's situation is exceptional.

eskbanker

Grumpy_chap said:

Westin said:

- although I think this is for exceptional reasons

It does sound like the OP's situation is exceptional.

According to the Ts & Cs published at https://quarantinehotelbookings.ctmportal.co.uk/ the payment plan option is only for those on income-related benefits:

If you are facing emergency financial hardship and are unable to pay for your quarantine immediately, we may be able to authorise a deferred payment plan. This is only available for individuals who are UK residents, or students with visas to study in the UK, and you will be required to pay back your debt to the government in 12 monthly instalments. The debt, and any missed payments, will also be pursued by the government. You must not apply for deferred payment if you are not eligible. If you provide false information, or omit key information which has been asked for, in your application you will be committing fraud and liable for conviction.

To exit this window without applying for deferred payment, click the X in the top right.

We Corporate Travel Management (CTM) are authorised to administer financial support packages on behalf of the Government provided you meet the eligibility criteria in full, which is set out below;

1. By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions, you are confirming your acceptance that you want to apply for deferred payment due to financial hardship on the booking portal.
2. Approval of these Terms and Conditions will be shared with UK Government in order to process your application and to set up regular payment plan.
3. This agreement is only available for UK residents who already receive DWP income-related benefits, and you will be required to pay back your debt to the government in 12 monthly instalments. The debt, and any missed payments, will also be pursued by the government.
4. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you are confirming that you are currently in receipt of income related benefits.
5. Eligibility is only for people on income related benefits.
6. In agreeing to these terms and conditions you are confirming that you meet all parts of the eligibility criteria and terms and conditions.

RAS

Could she ask her university for a hardship loan? or if there is any other support for students stuck overseas as a result of their studies?

Kenneto

thank you for your reply - everything is worth trying. Thank you 

eskbanker

Kenneto said:

everything is worth trying

Does she have travel insurance for the trip?  It's unlikely to cover the UK quarantine cost but if she incurred unexpected accommodation expenses as a result of a travel ban in Kenya then a decent policy ought to reimburse these, unless she originally travelled against FCDO advice....

superbigal

Might be cheaper to fly to Portugal.  Have a lovely holiday for the required time period and then return to the UK.
Obviously I do not know Portugal's requirements or if there are flights but just an idea.

silvercar

I agree with the last poster, why pay to be quarantined? Find a third country that is on the green or amber list and have some down time before coming home.

kaMelo

I don't know if that would be possible as Portugal have their own restrictions and Kenya is not on the list allowed for "Non Essential Travel"

silvercar

You need to ask locally, what places from Kenya people are travelling to, then match those up to the UK green and amber lists.