TOUGHER border checks could be brought in after lockdown which may include a 14-day period in quarantine for all arrivals at UK borders.
Boris Johnson will set out plans for gradually loosening parts of the lockdown in a speech on Sunday while tightening others, including border checks.
A possible 14-day quarantine for everyone entering the UK will be extended to Brit citizens, although it may not be brought in straight away.
Those arriving at UK borders may be forced to follow the same guidance as those within the country, such as being told to install the Covid-19 tracking app when it is rolled out.
One official told the Financial Times: “Whatever is in place for UK citizens you can expect to be in place for those arriving in the UK.”
In most cases they have simply received leaflets detailing information on symptoms.
Home Office figures revealed that around 18million people were let into Britain without any screening as coronavirus spread across the world.
Only 273 travellers were made to self-isolate after entering the UK on four evacuation flights from Wuhan, China, where the virus originated, and Tokyo.
They arrived in January and February and were taken to specialist facilities in Milton Keynes and Merseyside.
But between January 1 and the March 23 lockdown, tens of thousands jetted in from bug-ravaged countries including Spain and Italy.
Labour MP Stephen Doughty said the figures “beggar belief”.
He added: “That many of these people likely arrived and travelled onwards across the UK with little or no adherence to social distancing and with no checks or protections at the border is deeply disturbing.”
America banned inward travel from China and Europe to control the outbreak but no such measures were imposed by the UK.
It came as Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air prepared to resume commercial flights on Friday, sparking fears others will follow suit.
Passengers must wear a face covering and will be kept away from others as they fly.
Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport called for travellers to take virus tests 48 hours before take-off once lockdown is over.
A government spokesman said yesterday: “Our approach to tackling coronavirus is, and has always been, driven by the latest scientific and medical advice, and procedures at the border have been strictly following the latest government guidance throughout.
“The scientific advice showed that placing restrictions at the border would not have had a significant impact on the spread of the virus in the UK.”
More than 30,000 people have now died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, up 649 from the day before.
Official figures indicate the number of deaths is significantly higher.
Coronavirus lockdown measures could start being eased from Monday, with Brits set to be allowed picnics in parks, unlimited exercise and some sports.
Pub and cafe gardens could also open in an easing of lockdown restrictions. But people must still stay two metres from each other.
The small relaxation from the coronavirus lockdown is the first of many that the PM plans to roll out week by week.
Further loosening of the lockdown is expected later in May.
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