A SEAFRONT hotel called the police to kick out one of its guests after he tested positive for Covid-19.
Film-maker Adam Tidd, 28, had been paying to stay in Brighton's Royal Albion Hotel as he is currently between homes.
On Wednesday, staff were told he had tested positive on a lateral flow test, which indicates if you are currently infectious with coronavirus.
Mr Tidd said that shortly afterwards, as he began to feel ill, he found out he was no longer welcome at the hotel.
"My brother told the hotel about the test, then we're told I'm going to be kicked out," he said.
"I can't go anywhere else because now I've tested positive - I'm supposed to be self-isolating.
"I'm feeling pretty bad and now I'm being kicked out to the streets."
Mr Tidd refused to leave, fearing he would not have anywhere to stay.
Sussex Police said they were called by the hotel to evict a guest suffering from Covid symptoms.
Mr Tidd said hotel management then said he could stay one more night.
Public Health officials then stepped in and arranged a private taxi to take Mr Tidd to an isolation hub the following morning.
The Argus rang the hotel but the manager said he could not speak to the press. We contacted Britannia Hotels, which runs the hotel, but it did not respond to a request for comment.
Government guidance to hotels says: "Guests with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 should return home if they reasonably can, but this may not always be possible.
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"You should consider how the guest’s booking will be managed, how they (and any other affected or exposed guests) will isolate, how meals and laundry will be arranged, and how to clean their accommodation after they have left."
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "We were contacted to assist with the eviction of a hotel guest who was suffering from Covid-related symptoms.
"Officers liaised with Public Health England colleagues at Brighton and Hove City Council, who responded quickly to the incident.
"A response was taken to isolate the resident in the hotel until such arrangements were made by Public Health officials for a Covid-safe transport to an isolation hub.
"The resident left the hotel yesterday morning and is now isolating.
"We take public health measures seriously and we will continue to work with our partner agencies to take appropriate measures to control the virus and to keep our communities safe."
A council spokesman said: “We cannot comment on specific cases. There have inevitably been occasions since the pandemic started when we have had to arrange transport and accommodation for people who have contracted Covid and who need help to self-isolate safely.
“We have established protocols in place for dealing with this kind of situation that are consistent with government safety guidelines.”
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