Threat of 10-year sentence for arrivals hiding high-risk travel in UK criticised

It comes amid continuing concerns over home-grown coronavirus strains as scientists advising the UK government added one detected in Bristol to its “variant of concern” list

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said those who lie about travel could face fines of £10,000 and 10 years in jail (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Ten-year jail sentences for travellers who try to conceal journeys to high-risk countries have been branded “extraordinarily high” in a backlash against the British Government’s plan to tackle coronavirus variants.

Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a requirement for UK residents returning to England from 33 “red list” countries to pay £1,750 to quarantine for 10 days in Government-designated hotels.