Travellers can expect ‘knock at the door’ to check they’re self-isolating

Those returning from amber list countries can expect a ‘knock at the door’ to ensure they’re quarantining (Picture: PA/ Shutterstock)

Travellers returning from trips to amber list countries should expect a ‘knock at the door’, the Home Secretary has said.

International travel from the UK reopened on Monday, with thousands of people jetting off to enjoy holidays in green-list countries. The Government has warned people against flying to amber list destinations, but it remains legal to do so, so long as passengers quarantine upon their return.

Priti Patel has said enforcement is being stepped up to ensure those who travel to amber list nations follow quarantining rules.

There were 30,000 home checks conducted last week, while officials have the capacity to complete around 10,000 a day. Anyone caught not quarantining could face a fine of up to £10,000.

Patel told the Daily Mail: ‘Yes, people should [expect a knock at the door]. There is a service, provision is in place, capacity has been increased for that very reason. People will not go unchecked.

‘Significant resources have been put in place – millions of pounds – in terms of the follow-up checking of people around their testing and making sure they stay at home. It has been stepped up.’

Brits have been told not to fly to amber countries, but it is still legal (Picture: Reuters)

Priti Patel warned that those travelling to amber countries would have to self-isolate (Picture: PA)

Earlier this week ministers were accused of delivering mixed messages when it comes to travel abroad. Both Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have insisted that no one should be taking holidays to amber list destinations.

Johnson said: ‘I think it’s very important for people to grasp what an amber list country is: it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday, let me be very clear about that.

‘If people do go to an amber list country, they absolutely have to for some pressing family or urgent business reason, then please bear in mind that you will have to self-isolate, you’ll have to take tests and do your passenger locator form and all the rest of it.’

However, flying to amber list destinations isn’t illegal, and other ministers have insinuated that trips can be made to visit family or friends.

Green list destinations do not require people to self-isolate afterwards (Picture: AP)

Environment Secretary George Eustice said the intention of the amber list was not ‘to stop travel altogether’, as he noted that there ‘will be reasons why people feel they need to travel either to visit family or indeed to visit friends’.

The Government website states that people ‘should not travel to amber list countries or territories’.

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from metro.co.uk