Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent the entry into the UK of new variants of the COVID-19 virus via the UK's borders.

We are committed to protecting the country against the importation of infections and working alongside the devolved administrations given their responsibilities in this area. Every essential check introduced – from testing to the Passenger Locator Form – is helping to reduce the risk of new coronavirus variants making it into the UK.

As we integrate arrival checks with border technology, the checks will become automated and will be complemented by pre-departure compliance checks by carriers. Carriers are required by law to check passengers travelling to the UK have completed a Passenger Locator Form and hold a negative Pre-Departure Test. They are subject to a £2,000 fine if they deliver a passenger who does not have proof of a negative test, is not exempt, or does not have a reasonable excuse.

Travel has been banned from red list countries which pose the highest risk. Only British, Irish and third-country nationals resident in the UK are permitted to enter and must enter the Managed Quarantine Service (MQS) for 10 days on arrival.

Another layer of protection is the legal requirement for direct flights from ‘Red List’ countries to arrive into dedicated airport facilities, separate from ‘mixed’ terminals which are open to ‘Green’, ‘Amber’ and indirect ‘Red’ arrivals. Red list arrivals are securely directed to MQS hotels on arrival.

Further checks are made after entry to make sure people are quarantining when required and further action may be taken by the Isolation Assurance & Compliance Service and the police. Breaches can incur fines of up to £10,000.