Afghans in hotel ‘prisons’ even after quarantine ends

Sources said certain rules applied to all quarantine hotels, affecting potentially hundreds of Afghans
Sources said certain rules applied to all quarantine hotels, affecting potentially hundreds of Afghans
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Afghans evacuated to Britain have described being “imprisoned” because they are banned from leaving their hotel despite completing quarantine.

Dozens of Afghans at a hotel near Heathrow airport have been told they cannot go outside other than for a 20-minute walk around the car park, next to a runway. They are escorted by a government-employed security guard.

Sources working with the government on the policy said the rule was applied to all quarantine hotels, affecting potentially hundreds of Afghans.

A former Afghan civil servant, who is staying at the Renaissance London Heathrow Hotel, should have been given accommodation when his quarantine period ended on September 3. However, four days later, his family has not been allowed outside except for the car park walks. Bahram, 35,