The UK’s quarantine hotel policy for arrivals from red list countries is being challenged with a call for a judicial review.
London-based law firm PGMBM has started legal proceedings.
Passengers must spend 11 nights in quarantine hotels on returning from red list countries, despite being fully vaccinated and testing negative for Covid.
More than 60 locations including Turkey, Mexico, Kenya and many other countries in Africa are currently on the red list.
The cost of isolating in a quarantine hotel has risen from £1,750 to £2,285.
PGMBM argues that this is an “unlawful deprivation of liberty”.
The law firm is also seeking refunds of the cost of the quarantine hotel stays in addition to compensation for the breach in human rights.
Managing partner Tom Goodhead told the BBC: “Mandatory hotel quarantine is a fundamental breach of human rights. It has led to the false imprisonment of people who are fully vaccinated and have tested negative.
“Prisoners are entitled to more liberty than those forced to quarantine in hotels.”
The majority of the people who get in touch with the firm are not travelling to or from red list countries for holidays or for leisure.
“They are often travelling for emergency or urgent reasons and would not be travelling unless they felt it was absolutely necessary,” Goodhead added.
A government spokesperson said: “We are determined to protect our country and the progress we have made thanks to the vaccine rollout. That is why the government has taken decisive action at the border, including the introduction of the managed quarantine system.
“Every essential check we’ve introduced has strengthened our defences against the risk of new coronavirus variants.
“Countries around the world are taking equivalent action and apply a fixed charge for quarantine costs. The cost for travelling back from a red list country covers transport from the port of arrival to the designated hotel, food, accommodation, security, other essential services and testing.”