Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what quality assurance assessment procedure he has in place to ensure hygienic and comfort standards in covid-19 quarantine accommodation for arrivals from red-list countries.
Answered by Jo Churchill
All hotels complete a formal induction and inspection before they become available as a managed quarantine facility. Hotels have clear standard operating procedures in place, including spot checks and instructions on cleanliness, fresh linen and towels left outside of the room door every third day and provision of suitable disposable cleaning products and equipment to so guests can clean their rooms. There are provisions for guests to have personal clothes cleaned. Local liaison officers on site can deal with any issues that arise and respond to customer feedback.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what demand forecasts for covid-19 quarantine accommodation for people from red-list countries his Department has conducted for the period until October 2021.
Answered by Jo Churchill
We have thousands of hotel rooms available to meet any further demand from ‘red list’ country arrivals and we have ongoing agreements with a number of hotels moving into the summer. We closely monitor the data and increase capacity if required.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the process is by which contracts are awarded for quarantine accommodation for arrivals from red-list countries.
Answered by Jo Churchill
We have contracted with Corporate Travel Management (CTM) as the Department’s travel services delivery partner. CTM are responsible for identifying and contracting with the individual hotels to support the Managed Quarantine Service (MQS). CTM liaise with the main hotel chains to source any properties in the area that meet our specification and are willing to become MQS hotels. A site visit is conducted to ensure the hotel meets the requirements including sufficient space for exercise away from the public and for coaches to relay guests to and from the hotel. The transit time by coach from the airport is also considered.
Asked by: Hywel Williams (Plaid Cymru - Arfon)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the delivery of NHS vaccination invitation letters.
Answered by Nadhim Zahawi
Minsters have had discussions with Royal Mail to emphasise the importance of vaccination letters reaching people as quickly as possible.