Arrivals from Portugal, Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion will now have to isolate for two weeks due to new travel restrictions.
The restrictions came into force at 4am on Saturday and follow the government’s announcement that Portugal, Hungary, French Polynesia and Reunion were being added to England and Northern Ireland’s quarantine list.
The restriction will not apply to travellers returning from Portuguese island Madeira and the Azores.
Wales and Scotland have also removed Hungary and Reunion as safe destinations for travellers, requiring arrivals to quarantine.
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have, however, decided that arrivals from Sweden will no longer need to isolate for two weeks.
It came a week after England, Wales and Scotland took different approaches on the travel issue, sparking anger and confusion from some holidaymakers.
The Times reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson is considering plans to fine people who refuse to isolate, following concerns that people are leaving their homes when they should be staying away from other people.
The newspaper said the move was part of a “carrot and stick” approach as various parts of the UK are put under tighter restrictions due to the spread of the virus.
On Friday there were 3,539 positive tests for coronavirus recorded, the highest level in the UK since mid-May and a sharp rise from the 2,919 recorded on Thursday.
The Government Office for Science and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) also revealed that the estimate for the R (reproduction) number – which measures how many people are infected by each person who has the virus – is between 1.0 and 1.2.
According to government advisers, the last time R was above 1 was in early March.
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