Holidays have been banned and travellers arriving in the UK will have to present a negative Covid test before they are allowed to enter the country, it is understood.
The test must have been taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival as part of new measures to combat a new strain of the coronavirus.
According to the Times, only hauliers will be exempt from the latest condition of entry to the UK which is set to be brought in as the country was plunged into a third national lockdown since the pandemic began.
Currently, travellers arriving into the UK must complete a locator form with their contact details and may have to self-isolate if they have arrived from a country which is not included on the travel corridor list.
It comes as Matt Hancock yesterday revealed he is ‘incredibly worried’ about the highly-infectious South African coronavirus mutation which top experts fear could scupper Britain’s vaccine roll-out.
The Government has banned holidays as part of the latest coronavirus restrictions which will also see international arrivals asked to present a negative Covid-19 test to enter the country
The Health Secretary warned the variant — which has already been spotted in the UK — posed a ‘very, very significant problem’.
Under the latest national lockdown rules, which is now in effect, holidays are banned as international travel is only permitted for a strict number of reasons such as for work.
UK residents currently abroad do not need to return home immediately. However, you should check with your airline or travel operator on arrangements for returning.
Within the UK, domestic holidays are also banned as you must stay at home at all times except for a limited number of ‘reasonable excuses’ such as shopping for essentials or work.
The Government has said if you need to travel you should stay local – meaning avoiding travelling outside of your village, town or the part of a city where you live – and look to reduce the number of journeys you make overall.
Two days before Christmas, Britain banned all arrivals from South Africa, as well as travel to the nation, after discovering two cases of the mutant Covid-19 strain which is driving a massive second wave among young people in the country.
However, it is understood those arriving indirectly from the country did not have to prove they had tested negative before entering the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the public to announce the latest national lockdown in a bid to combat a new strain of coronavirus which is reportedly 70 per cent more infectious
Neil O’Brien, Conservative MP for Harborough, tweeted measures needed to ‘toughen up’ at the border after one user drew comparisons to stricter rules in South Korea.
Senior aviation sources told the Times the Government was due to revisit the rules surrounding international arrival and that the new strain had prompted ‘a hastening in the introduction of measures’ that have yet to be officially announced.
In a televised address to the nation yesterday evening, Boris Johnson announced the new national lockdown to curb the spread of a mutated strain of the virus which is up to 70% more transmissible, and further studies are ongoing.
The UK’s chief medical officers warned of a ‘material risk of the being overwhelmed’ in the next 21 days as the Covid alert level raised to five for the first time since the pandemic began, meaning the NHS could be face breaking point in a matter of days.
The restrictions are unlikely to be eased until around 13 million people aged over 70 or classed as clinically extremely vulnerable have received the vaccine and been given enough time to be protected – a period of about two to three weeks after getting the jab.
The public were told to work from home unless it is impossible to do so, such as for critical workers and those in the construction industry.
Exercise is permitted with household or support bubble members or with one other person from another household, but is advised to be limited to only once per day and carried out locally.
Non-essential shops have to close, but early years settings such as nurseries and childminders are allowed to remain open and existing childcare bubbles can stay in place.
Restaurants and other hospitality venues can continue delivery or takeaway services but are no longer permitted to serve alcohol.
Outdoor gyms, tennis courts and golf courses must close and outdoor team sports will be prohibited.
The clinically vulnerable who were previously told to shield should stay at home and only leave for medical appointments and exercise.
The regulations are expected to be laid before Parliament today, with MPs retrospectively being given a vote after they are recalled early from the Christmas break on Wednesday.
A government spokesman declined to comment on the latest travel restrictions.