UK newspaper The Mirror, reported that father-of-three Theo Paulse, who lives in Torquay, Devon, had to stay at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel near Heathrow Airport having flown back from South Africa
Travellers released from 10 days in a quarantine hotel after arriving in the UK said they were treated like “animals” and “prisoners” during their stay.
Many of the guests who stayed at the Radisson Blu Edwardian hotel near Heathrow Airport complained about the conditions, the costs and being kept away from family members as they left on Friday.
They had been at the hotel since February 15, the first day the Government’s new quarantine rules came into force.
Pic by Daily Mirror
They had to pay £1,750 (R36000) for a “package” including transport from the airport, two Covid-19 tests, security and food after returning from a country on the Government’s “red list”.
Father-of-three Theo Paulse, who lives in Torquay, Devon, had to quarantine after flying in from South Africa following a family visit.
The 39-year-old said: “For the amount of money they charge, I felt more like a prisoner than actually a guest here.
“I had loads of altercations in the end with staff just not knowing how to treat people because the power went to their head.
“They didn’t realise they were dealing with guests, they just kind of felt like they’ve got to treat you like some kind of animal and keep you in these rooms.”
He added: “It was disheartening and my kids weren’t happy when they were told dad’s not bringing their Christmas presents from their grandmother.”
Mr Paulse said he had ordered KFC at around 11pm on the first night because the food at the hotel was “expensive”.
He continued: “It wasn’t a nice experience but what I can say is all the people that were in here, thank you very much for a nice time.
“We kept each other entertained and made it nice for ourselves and there was people looking out for each other.
“I’m going to miss the guys in here, but I wouldn’t want to do the experience ever again.”
Others praised the hotel staff, but said they were looking forward to walking around without being “escorted everywhere”.
Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/quarantined-traveller-treated-like-a-23572255