QUARANTINE plans have been unveiled for new arrivals into the United Kingdom.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was imposing the restrictions for new arrivals at the time "it will be the most effective".

Two-week quarantines will be come in from June 8, with fines for anyone who breaches the measure to prevent new waves of coronavirus from overseas.

She told the daily Downing Street press conference: "The answer as to why we're bringing in these measures now is simple: It is to protect that hard-won progress and prevent a devastating resurgence in a second wave of the virus.

"As we are taking this action, we are taking it at a time that it will be the most effective."

She said that passenger arrivals have been down 99% compared to the previous year but now the peak has passed, steps to "guard against imported cases" must be imposed.

The Home Secretary said ministers will work to "find new ways to reopen international travel and tourism in a safe and responsible way".

She said: "We also recognise how hard these changes will be for our travel sector, and leisure sectors, who are already struggling through these unprecedented times.

"So, across Government, we will continue to work with them and support what is an incredibly dynamic sector to find new ways to reopen international travel and tourism in a safe and responsible way."

Ms Patel also confirmed the plan will be reviewed every three weeks.

Paul Lincoln, Border Force director general, said spot checks would be carried out on the accuracy of quarantine forms of those arriving into the UK from abroad.

Speaking at the daily Downing Street briefing, he said: "At the border there will be spot checks conducted by Border Force officers.

"Any obvious errors will trigger a requirement for the passenger to complete another form or potentially be refused entry into the UK."

He said the Border Force expected most people to comply with the measures but the agency was ready to act in cases where the rules were not followed.

"Given the high levels of compliance to date, we expect the vast majority of people will take this seriously and do the right thing," Mr Lincoln added.

"We will, however, take enforcement action against a small minority of people who may disregard these actions and therefore further endanger people's lives."