Women who are self-isolating alone in hotels will now be given female guards following series of sexual harassment allegations.
Discover our latest podcast
The Department of Health and Social Care will be implementing this following sexual harassment claims by some 16 women in a BBC report.
The complaints included a male guard miming sex in a lift to one woman, while another asked for a hug.
In the absence of a female guard, women should be escorted by two male guards when moving around the hotels during the quarantine period. The DHSC said 'with each guard chaperoning the other to ensure appropriate behaviour.'
But one of the women who reported being taken by a guard on a terrifying walk along deserted hotel corridors when she was quarantining in the Radisson Red Heathrow in April, said two male guards pose a higher threat than one.
A group of male guards were talking about me when they clearly saw one male guard was being inappropriate with me. I don't think it ensures the safety of women, rather it increases possible risk. Personally I would find two male guards more intimidating than just one lone guard.
Ongoing investigations
Travellers arriving from countries on the UK’s red list for international travel must quarantine for 10 days in designated hotels, at a cost of £1,750.
Guests must stay in their room at all times except when escorted outside by guards for exercise.
In a statement, the DHSC said there is now a dedicated complaints team for quarantine hotels, with a clear process in place for reporting problems.
We will not hesitate to take immediate action to suspend staff where appropriate and report to the police if necessary. We are doing our utmost to ensure every person in managed quarantine gets the support they need and we're urgently working to investigate complaints of this nature.
