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Dad And Daughter Leave Hotel Quarantine After One Day Due To Loophole

Dad And Daughter Leave Hotel Quarantine After One Day Due To Loophole

Chun Wong arrived in Scotland to start a new life with his wife and daughter

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

A father and daughter have been allowed to leave their quarantine hotel after just one day due to a loophole.

Chun Wong and his daughter Kiernan arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, from the US on Monday, and were told they had to isolate in a hotel.

This rule doesn't apply, however, to people travelling from within the Common Travel Area, including the UK and Ireland.

And because the pair had stopped off in Dublin, Ireland, en route to Scotland, they were later told that they did not have to stay in a hotel after all.

Speaking about the mistake, Mr Wong, a medical worker, said: "I received a call from reception saying a gentleman from the airport would like to talk to me.

"He said that since I landed in Dublin first and then got a connecting flight to here, I was not required to quarantine in a hotel.

"I still have to quarantine and do the self-testing kit on the second and eighth day, but they said it was an error on their part."

PA

It's understood that the Scottish government is now making arrangements for Mr Wong and his daughter to return to their home in Fife.

The pair were travelling to Scotland to be with Kiernan's mum, Danielle. The three of them have not been together since November 2019 due to the pandemic.

Mr Wong said: "Danielle has been calling the government every day, and unfortunately every day there were different answers.

"There was a big level of grey. It seems like one department did not get the full picture from other departments.

"At the end of the day she got official word that since I'm coming from the USA, I have to quarantine. It doesn't matter that it's a connecting flight. But now, as it appears, that is not the case."

He added: "I'm relieved because the news that we had to stay in a hotel for 10 additional days was heartbreaking. It was terrible. But at the end of the day if it needs to be done, it needs to be done."

PA

Under the rules, those entering the country and are required self-isolate must fork out £1,750 each to cover the costs of the hotel.

They must also pay an extra £325 for any additional guests staying with them, something which Mr Wong had to do for his daughter.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scottish government said it was investigating the case and looking into a refund.

They said: "We are looking into the circumstances that led to Mr Wong being wrongly advised at the airport that he needed to book a managed isolation package. This is a very new system, being implemented at pace, and some initial challenges are to be expected.

"We are following up with the travel management company to ensure a full refund is provided to Mr Wong."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Coronavirus, travel