Brits returning from holiday to self-isolate should not make a trip to the supermarket, the government has confirmed.
Downing Street was asked to clarify advice after reports emerged that people arriving in the UK from countries that require a period of self-isolation on return were allowed to stop off at the shops to stock up before their two-week quarantine.
But a No 10 spokesperson has now denied this is true and says any help with shopping should be done by friends or relatives.
Brits currently holidaying in Spain, France and a number of other destinations face a 14-day quarantine after the Foreign Office updated travel advice.
Asked whether travellers returning from these countries are able to do a big supermarket shop on their way home before isolating, a No 10 spokesman said: “The guidance is published and clearly sets out what you can and can’t do when you are quarantining.
“It specifically says you should not go shopping.
"If you require help to buy groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, you should ask friends or relatives or a delivery.”
It comes amid speculation that further holiday destinations are soon to be removed from the 'safe' list.
Downing Street did not deny that Croatia and Greece could be added to the quarantine list when asked.
“We continue to keep these rules under constant review and we publish a list of the countries and territories that we are concerned about," the spokeperson said.
"You’ll have seen the last update as of last week.”
Asked whether Greece and its islands would count as one country for quarantine rule purposes, he added: “As I say, we will continue to keep data for all countries and territories under constant review.
"We update the list on a weekly basis.”
Pushed on the limited time between new quarantine measures being announced and their implementation, the No 10 spokesman said: “We’ve always said that protecting public health remains our top priority, which is why it is important that when we make changes to the exemptions list we do so in a swift way.
“While these changes we understand can be disruptive, it is right that we take quick action to prevent cases being important into the UK.”
