PRITI Patel will lead a Downing Street press conference tonight amid reports that ministers are investigating forcing arrivals to the UK to pay to stay in a quarantine hotel for a fortnight.

The Home Secretary will be accompanied by Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS England regional medical director for London.

Government officials have reportedly launched talks with hotel groups over the possibility of hosting incoming travellers following their arrival in the UK.

The move is said to be part of the Government's effort to prevent the spread of mutant Covid strains in Britain - with officials fearing the variants could be resistant to the current vaccines.

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The press conference will take place at 5pm - it is currently unclear what will be discussed.

The UK yesterday recorded its worst daily coronavirus death toll, with 1,820 fatalities. 

Under such a scheme, arrivals could be forced to stay in designated hotels for up to 14 days. Food would be provided by the hotel or ordered in via a local takeaway service.

The Prime Minister's spokesman today said that the government was keeping "our measures and our border restrictions under review," according to the Daily Mail.

"We stand ready to strengthen our border policy," he said. 'If there is anything further we need to introduce ... we will take action."