A BRADFORD mother has raised concerns about her family’s experience while in a quarantine hotel.

Uzma Khan, 41, and her family flew out to Pakistan to care for her elderly mother, but whilst they were out there, the country was put on the ‘red’ list of countries amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

This meant that the family-of-eight, from Heaton, would need to quarantine in a Government-approved hotel for 10 days. 

After initial difficulty organising the quarantine hotel and fears they would not get sorted in time, their problems continued when they arrived back in the UK at Heathrow, when Mrs Khan’s 17-year-old daughter’s health took a turn for the worse.

She suffers from extreme anxiety which triggers her asthma and ended up in hospital twice in their period of quarantine, the first time even having to receive treatment in intensive care. 

They requested an exemption, supplemented by a doctor’s note, but this was denied, with them finding out on their final day of quarantine last Thursday (April 23). An email said the bar for exemption is set “incredibly high”.

Mrs Khan spoke of the struggles of trying to get help and and said of the situation: “It was really, really scary. I felt as though this was really, really serious but they didn’t let her out.

"We just lost trust. I’m just lost for words, really shocked and surprised. It was just a case of, ride it through and hope and pray that her health stayed ok. It’s really hard to put into words how I feel about the whole situation.I think they should have sent her home. She’s really shaken up by the whole situation. It’s going to take her a while to get over this.”

She added: “I thought, who really does qualify?”

Mrs Khan claimed that while the guidelines were so strict, her daughter was sent home from hospital in a taxi and the only welfare call they received was on the final day.

The mum feels even if the bar is set high for exemptions, alternatives should be offered.  

A Government spokesperson said it cannot comment on individual cases, but added: “Our top priority has always been protecting the public and the robust border regime we introduced is helping minimise the number of new variants imported into the UK.

"The government continues to ensure every person in quarantine gets the support they need and all hotels providing facilities are accommodating the vast majority of people’s requirements. Hotels take all necessary steps to address concerns raised by guests.”

They said hotels it is working with are committed to delivering a positive experience and wellbeing support is provided – including daily welfare checks in the form of a phone call.

They said exemptions are in place for those in need of urgent medical care, as assessed by a suitably qualified or registered UK medical professional, to allow individuals to quarantine outside of a hotel.