Prime minister Boris Johnson on Sunday (10 May) confirmed the move as part of a new package of measures to control the spread of Covid-19.

However, shortly after Johnson delivered his address to the nation, 10 Downing Street confirmed a reciprocal deal with the French government meant the measures would not apply to those arriving from France "at any stage".

According to No10, it followed talks between Johnson and French president Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, during which the two leaders agreed the need for "close bilateral, European and international cooperation" in the fight against coronavirus.

"The leaders spoke about the need to manage the risk of new transmissions arising from abroad as the rate of coronavirus decreases domestically," said the UK and French governments in a joint statement.

"In this regard, the prime minister and the president agreed to work together in taking forward appropriate border measures. This cooperation is particularly necessary for the management of our common border.

"No quarantine measures would apply to travellers coming from France at this stage; any measures on either side would be taken in a concerted and reciprocal manner. A working group between the two governments will be set up to ensure this consultation throughout the coming weeks."

Johnson said in his address he was "serving notice" on the nation it would "soon be the time, with transmission [of coronavirus] significantly lower, to impose quarantine on people coming into this country by air".