Health Secretary for England Matt Hancock has given an update on the coronavirus situation in the UK in the House of Commons.
Speaking on Tuesday (February 9) Mr Hancock outlined plans for tighter travel and border restrictions as the country heads towards ordering arrivals in the country to quarantine in hotels.
Mr Hancock reminded everyone that travelling abroad for a holiday is currently illegal.
Anyone who must travel has to demonstrate a negative test result 72 hours before arriving in UK and have to quarantine for 10 days.
He said: "Everyone has a part to play in keeping our border safe."
From February 15, three new elements will launch in England in the fight against Covid - hotel quarantine, testing and enforcement.
People who have been to a red list country has to quarantine in an assigned hotel room for 10 days from arrival.
Quarantine is expected to cost £1,750 per person and rooms have to booked. These hotels will not have 'normal guests' at the same time.
He said that there will be security on site to ensure people remain in their rooms.
From Monday all international arrivals will be required by law to take further PCR tests on days two and eight of quarantine. They will have to book tests on an online portal which goes live on Thursday - anyone who tests positive will have to quarantine for another 10 days.
He explained that all tests will be sequenced to look for new variants.
There will be £1,000 fine for failing to take first test and £2,000 fine for refusing to take first test. With refusing to quarantine in hotel will see a £5,000 fine rising to £20,000.
He added: ""I make no apologies for the strength of these measures."
