People who are quarantining in Government-approved hotels after entering the UK from a country that was on the red list can start to leave..

New rules came into effect at 4am this morning (Wednesday 15 December) which removed all countries from the red list.

But those currently in hotel quarantine have been told by the Department of Health they must stay put until the Government has made ‘changes to the legal regulations that state your stay in quarantine can be transferred to home isolation’.

In a letter to ‘guests’, that is widely circulating on social media, the Department of Health warned: “Please note that by law, you are required to remain in the managed quarantine hotel until you are formally notified that you may leave.”

There are reports, however, that several people have already walked out and security guards are not attempting to stop them.

Hotel guests will be given a PCR test before leaving and anyone needing transport will be taken by coach back to the same airport they arrived into.

Anyone who has tested positive for COVID must remain in quarantine. The same applies to unvaccinated guests who have been told they’ve been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

Anyone who leaves will also need to supply details of their onward location.