The government is scrambling to book thousands of rooms as part of a new hotel quarantine system for international arrivals.

The requirement for travellers returning to the UK from “red list” countries to self-isolate in a government-approved hotel for 10 days will be implemented from February 15.

This is among tougher border rules aimed at slowing the spread of new coronavirus strains.

Travellers staying at quarantine hotels will be asked to pay around £80 per night, an industry source told the BBC.

But full details have yet to be announced, with even hotel chains revealing they have been kept in the dark, and no information about who will provide the different parts of the service – accommodation, food, transport, security, and so on.

It’s already working in other countries, though. Here’s what we can learn from them about how it might play out here.

1. Segregation 

Passengers from “red-list” countries are likely to be segregated from others on connecting flights. This will continue upon disembarking, through passport control and customs and onto Covid-secure transport to their quarantine hotels.

2. Luggage 

Guests’ luggage – assuming it is also segregated on the aircraft – will have to be collected separately and transported to them.

3. Cars at the airport 

Arrangements must be made for passengers who have left their cars at the airport before going away – no one wants to be towed while they’re locked down in a hotel.

4. Contactless check-in

Upon arrival at the hotel, luggage will have to be sanitised, and a key-less check in system will operate, with guests escorted to their rooms by staff members wearing PPE.

The aim will be to move guests straight to their rooms without them touching anything – including elevator buttons.

5. Security 

CCTV cameras and possibly security guards – as is the case in Australia – will monitor whether guests are following the rules. Guests must not leave their rooms and gathering in communal areas is strictly forbidden. 

6. Food 

Three meals a day will be delivered to the doorway of the room which guests must collect themselves after the hotel staff member has left the area. Tea, coffee and fruit is expected to also be available in UK quarantine hotels, the BBC reported. Some may allow takeaways to be delivered, as has been the case in Australia.

During the Australian Open in Melbourne, many players rejected the hotel food and instead relied on UberEats. 

7. Room service 

Cleaners may not enter the rooms, so there is no daily room service and it will be up to guests to keep things tidy.

They will have fresh towels and sheets delivered at specified times. They must deposit used laundry and rubbish also at certain times. Failure to do this may result in a fine – as is the case in Hong Kong.

8. Fresh air 

Some hotels do not permit the windows to be opened – though like Ian Samson you may opt to pay £600 extra to have a window that does. His opened out onto a motorway in Hong Kong.

9. Exercise 

In some countries you are not allowed to leave your quarantine hotel room at all, which means no gym access. This was problematic for tennis players who made the trip to the Australian Open and were frustrated that they were not allowed to train ahead of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

New Zealand’s Artem Sitak’s room was too small to swing a racket in, so he spent the time playing computer games and reading while in solitary confinement.

Not only did the Russian-born doubles specialist have to quarantine for 14 days in Melbourne, but the 34-year-old was also threatened with a $20,000 fine if he opened his door.

Coco Gauff, who had a slightly larger room, improvised by propping a mattress against the window and hitting tennis balls against it.