Best Western hotel will house Covid-positive lorry drivers

The Cambridge Bar Hill hotel by Best Western will be used to house lorry drivers who test positive for Covid-19 before entering the UK, South Cambridgeshire District Council confirms. 

The hotel will be used for “mainly non UK drivers to complete their isolation period” and they are being provided with a room, food, drink, toiletries, television, and Wi-Fi. 

The council reports that the hotel has been designated “due to its proximity to the A14 and the road’s links to ports and the M11”. 

No guests are staying at the hotel apart from the lorry drivers, with “security on hand to ensure everyone sticks to the processes and to assist with the smooth running of the hotel”.

Cllr Lynda Harford, local county councillor for Bar Hill, said: “The County Council has worked with partners including the district council, emergency planning teams and public health to provide support for these drivers who find themselves in an unenviable position. 

“I’d like to reassure residents of Bar Hill that the appropriate public health and safety protocols are in place and strict Covid-19 rules are being followed to protect everyone and I will continue to monitor the situation.” 

She added: “We will continue to work very closely with the hotel and the district council to ensure the parking of lorry cabs and any trailers is well managed and done safely. DfT are very aware that lorries should not park anywhere in the village and this must not be allowed to happen.”