A newlywed couple have been forced to cut short their honeymoon in Mexico from two weeks to two days, as holidaymakers are hit by the UK’s latest travel restrictions.
Mexico was moved to the red list in the latest review and travellers will have to pay thousands of pounds for a quarantine hotel when arriving in the UK from 4am on Sunday.
Joe Coward, 29, discovered the new restrictions after landing in the country early on Thursday morning and had to quickly book a return flight to London to avoid the cost.
The student from London told the PA news agency: “Basically we touched down to find that our two-week honeymoon, which had already been rearranged several times, was going to be a two-day visit.
“We’ve arranged a flight for tomorrow and will be spending today getting ready to turn right around and go home.
“We feel extremely angry at the Government’s incompetent handling of international travel rules during this crisis, and incredibly sad and frustrated that the time that should’ve been spent enjoying being newlyweds has been ruined.”
Mr Coward said if the couple do not receive a refund from British Airways for their holiday, based near Cancun, they will be “several thousand pounds out of pocket”.
He said staying is not an option due to the cost of quarantine hotels – which from August 12 will rise to £2,285 for a solo traveller, plus an extra £1,430 for additional adults sharing a room.
Meanwhile, Ayo Faley, a call handler for NHS Test and Trace in London, also landed in Cancun on Thursday morning but she plans to stay for her holiday and pay for quarantine on return.
She is returning on August 11 so will pay the lower rate of £1,750, but said she is “absolutely distraught”.
The 24-year-old told PA: “I only found out (travel restrictions had changed) the minute I was able to connect to wifi at the airport… I went into a state of panic.
“(I tried) to locate other Brits and see whether they knew and what their next plan of action was… you could see the look of confusion, fear and regret all in their faces.
“I am absolutely distraught… I’ve decided to just stay and enjoy the time here… I’ll just have to face the consequences when I arrive.”
Ms Faley works from home and had planned to do so on her return from Cancun, but said she will not be able to access her equipment in quarantine.
She added: “How are (the Government) planning to help individuals who have found themselves in a situation like this?
“Leaving the UK thinking their country of destination was safe to then land and find out they better return ASAP or risk being stuck in a hotel for 11 days.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps claimed on Thursday the current traffic light system means holidaymakers can travel abroad without “looking over their shoulders” in fear of being caught out by changing rules.
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