HEATHROW Airport has reopened Terminal 4 as a dedicated facility for processing arrivals from red list countries from today.
The west London airport said the measure will keep passengers arriving from destinations on the high-risk list away from other travellers.
Back in June, Heathrow Airport opened Terminal 3 for red list passengers only, to stop arrivals mixing with amber and green list passengers.
It was the first time Terminal 3 had been used since April 2020, when it was closed to save costs amid the collapse in demand for travel.
It was later switched to Terminal 4 but was closed in early November following the removal of the final seven countries on the list.
The facility has since reopened today.
Heathrow's chief operating officer Emma Gilthorpe said: "We are supportive of measures that protect public health and prevent the spread of Covid.
"The rapid introduction of restrictions for international travel will nonetheless be a further significant blow for British exporters and those wanting to visit friends and relatives.
"Keeping the changes under constant review, and a Government commitment to the removal of red list countries as soon as it is safe to do so, will help.
"Heathrow maintains the highest levels of Covid-secure measures to ensure our passengers, colleagues and partners know that Heathrow is a safe place to travel to and from."
There are currently 10 countries on the red list, having been added last week.
This includes Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Angola, added on Sunday, following the addition of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia.
Any passengers arriving in the UK from the red list destinations will have to pre-book a 10-day quarantine hotel stay, costing £2,285 per person, although additional guests and kids are cheaper.
A British couple have been left stranded in South Africa after the UK slapped the country on the red travel list – and will have to pay a whopping £3,700 quarantine bill to return home.
And there are fears that European countries could be added to the red list if Omicron cases spiral on the continent, a minister suggested today.
Care minister Gillian Keegan said the new travel rules are being kept under constant review and could be tightened further.
Currently, everyone people arriving in Britain from a non-red list destination abroad has to quarantine and take a PCR test before or on their second day in the country.
Previously vaccinated travellers could take a much cheaper lateral flow test on day two and didn't have to quarantine unless positive.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he hoped the new curbs will only be temporary while scientists assess the danger posed by Omicron.
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