Boris Johnson’s Government chose late afternoon last Friday when Parliament was not sitting and the country faced a Bank Holiday weekend to formally announce the most stringent border controls in peace time.

Priti Patel, Home Secretary, who has responsibility for overseas entry into the United Kingdom led the briefing which was followed by the publishing of a comprehensive exemption list.

Passengers arriving in the UK will be required to fill out an online locator contact form – providing details of where they will spend their 14 days in self-isolation.

They will be told to avoid public transport and travel to their accommodation by car "where possible", and not to go out to buy food or other essentials "where they can rely on others".

The requirement does not apply to those travelling from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had previously suggested so-called "air bridges" – agreements with countries that have low infection rates allowing tourists to travel without quarantining.  “That will not be in place initially,” said Ms Patel.  France was quick to respond saying that visitors from the United Kingdom will also have to self- isolate for 14 days.

Inevitably there has been outrage from the travel industry and is best summed up by Dale Keller, Chief Executive of BAR UK which represents 70 airlines operating within and into the United Kingdom. “The restart and recovery of aviation is intrinsic to reviving the UK economy and only through implementing more targeted and internationally aligned measures can the UK reconnect to its global markets.”

Exemption list