The Government has issued a reminder that foreign holidays are still not permitted.
Number 10 had been asked asked about reports of six-hour queues at airports.
Yesterday, MPs were told police had to be called in to help with mounting frustrations over the long delays being faced by arrivals at Heathrow airport.
When asked the about he issue today, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The first thing to say is that at this stage with where we are on our road map in this global pandemic, people should not be travelling unless absolutely necessary.
“The Border Force has staff there to check passengers are compliant with our border health measures and we continue to ask that passengers completed the necessary requirements to enter the UK in advance – things like purchasing testing packages, et cetera.
“With regards to looking forward, we are constantly trying to improve the processes at the border which maintain the checks we need to carry out to keep the public safe, while also maintaining an efficient border that doesn’t place undue wait on the public.
“We’re continuing that work and there will be more details set out ahead of the earliest date of May 17.”
The spokesman said the Border Force has the “right level of staffing” given the current restrictions in place on travel.
It comes after the Commons Transport Select Committee was told that travellers are being forced to queue for up to six hours to pass through immigration controls, an airport executive said.
Chief solutions officer Chris Garton told MPs that “the situation is becoming untenable” and the police have been forced to step in.
The continuing uncertainty over foreign travel has led a boom in staycation bookings - and desperate holidaymakers are trying to 'gazump' each other to secure accommodation.
Lettings agents report that the most popular destinations, Devon and Cornwall, are already 95% booked up - and warned other areas are “catching up quickly”.
