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Quarantine hotels for travellers from ‘red list’ countries confirmed by Boris Johnson

<p>South America, southern Africa and Portugal are thought to be among the destinations subject to the new rules</p> (AP)

South America, southern Africa and Portugal are thought to be among the destinations subject to the new rules

(AP)

Travellers returning to the UK from "red list" countries will be sent to quarantine hotels for 10 days, Boris Johnson has announced.

The Prime Minister told the Commons on Wednesday that passengers will be "met at the airport and transported directly into quarantine". Non-UK residents from red list countries will continue to be refused entry to the country.

Home Secretary Priti Patel told the commons that passengers will be asked to declare why they are travelling - and holidays will not be a valid excuse.

Ms Patel added: “This reason for travel will be checked by carriers prior to departure and this approach effectively mirrors the checks on arrivals that are already in place with the passenger locator form.”

Police will also step up checks to ensure that arrivals from other countries are self isolating in their homes.

A travel industry source told the PA news agency that the list of destinations this will apply to includes all of South America, southern Africa and Portugal.

Kenya, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria could also be added.

Further details on the quarantine hotels policy were set to be outlined by Home Secretary Priti Patel later in the afternoon.

Mr Johnson also revealed that the UK's ban on leisure travel will be enforced at airports and ports.

He said: "I want to make clear that, under the stay-at-home regulations, it is illegal to leave home to travel abroad for leisure purposes and we will enforce this at ports and airports by asking people why they are leaving and instructing them to return home if they do not have a valid reason to travel.

"We have also banned all travel from 22 countries where there is a risk of known variants including South Africa, Portugal and South American nations.

"And in order to reduce the risk posed by UK nationals and residents returning home from these countries, I can announce that we will require all such arrivals who cannot be refused entry to isolate in Government provided accommodation, such as hotels, for 10 days without exception.

"They will be met at the airport and transported directly into quarantine. The Department of Health and Social Care is working to establish these facilities as quickly as possible."

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