Father and son ordered to quarantine hotel when he arrived in Edinburgh for a 14-day visit still appealing to get out
A father who joined his tenyear-old son in self-isolation after the boy was ordered to a quarantine hotel when he arrived in Edinburgh for a 14-day visit says he has still had no response from the authorities after nearly a week in confinement.
Antiono Caraballo said it was clear from the paperwork before his son Sami left Finland, where he lives with his mother, that the plan was for him to self-isolate at the family home and before Sami was allowed to board the plane the airline checked with UK authorities that he did not require a hotel booking.
But on arrival at Edinburgh last Saturday, Sami was told he would have to isolate in a quarantine hotel, leaving Mr Caraballo, who is a key worker in the oil and gas industry, no choice but to join him at a cost of £2,075.
The Scottish Government says children under 11 are exempt from having to be tested for Covid-19 on arrival to Scotland, but not from having to stay in a quarantine hotel.
Mr Caraballo said: “It's Friday, so my concern is if we don't get something resolved today we're pretty much stuck here. It's just really frustrating I don't even have a phone number where I can explain my situation. Before Sami flew here I filled out a passenger locator form indicating he was going to olate at home.
“Since the requirement is that passengers have to book a hotel and Sami didn't have a hotel booking, the airline contacted the UK and they gave the green light. He was the last passenger to board. It was only when he got here there was confusion about what should happen.”
Mr Caraballo is doing his best to carry on working while at the hotel while Sami plays on his PS4. They watch TV and go outside for exercise. “I call reception, a guard knocks on the door and we're escorted to the parking lot.” Meanwhile, waiting at home in Marchmont is Mr Caraballo’s wife Rachel and three-year-old daughter Amelia.
If the quarantine has to run its full length, the family will only have a few days together before Sami has to fly back to Finland next Saturday. Mrs Caraballo said she was consulting lawyers to see if anything could be done.
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.