The cost of hotel quarantine on return to the UK from a red list destination could rise to more than £2,250, according to reports.
The Telegraph reported plans for the £500 hike in cost for the 10-day mandatory isolation were being considered by ministers to curb “unnecessary” trips to red list countries.
The newspaper says ministers are frustrated that the taxpayer is subsidising the costs.
About 30,000 people have already stayed in the hotels at a cost of up to £1,750 per person after arriving back from red list destinations. The price also includes PCR tests on day two and day eight.
Earlier this month, transport secretary Grant Shapps insisted in the House of Commons that the scheme “at the moment does not make a profit for the government”.
“I also want to point out that people should not be travelling to red list countries. The only people who should be coming back to government quarantine are British or Irish citizens, or people with permanent rights of residence,” Shapps said.
He added: “There should be a limit to the number of people who are still abroad and wishing to return. I sometimes come across cases where people are still using the red list as if it is a case of ‘It’s ok, I can come back and hotel quarantine’. That should not be the case.”