NEARLY half a billion pounds was spent on implementing the coronavirus traffic light system for international travel, but the government “does not know” whether it worked, a panel of MPs said yesterday.

The testing and quarantine requirements for people arriving in Britain were changed 10 times between February 2021 and January this year, the public accounts committee said in a report.

In May 2021, the traffic light system was introduced, setting the rules for arrivals from every country according to whether it was on the red, amber or green list.

Arrivals from red list countries had to stay in a quarantine hotel for at least 10 days.

The committee alleged that the government does not know the health impact of its policies.

Taxpayers covered £329 million of the total £757m cost of quarantine hotels, the report said, despite the bill for individuals rising to more than £2,200 for a single adult.

Only 2 per cent of those placed in hotel quarantine tested positive.