The UK needs a robust border policy, but right now we can’t see if it is working

Analysis: it is incredibly challenging to scrutinise the system because data on movement is so opaque

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The official response to coronavirus at the UK border has been problematic from the start. It was not until February this year that the government introduced mandatory hotel quarantine - some 11 months after coronavirus was first recorded the UK - despite it being used in countries such as New Zealand from the off.

Even now with stricter requirements for arrivals in place, critics say the current border policy is seriously lacking. Reports claiming as many as 8,000 tourists a day are arriving in the UK have significantly fueled those concerns.