Passengers arriving from China from Thursday (5 January) will need to show a negative Covid-19 test taken no more than two days prior to departure.

The government said the decision has been taken to introduce the measures specifically for China arrivals due to a "lack of comprehensive health information" shared by the country.

In addition, the UK Health Security Agency is launching surveillance from Sunday (8 January) which will see a sample of passengers arriving in England from mainland China tested for Covid at the point of their arrival.

England joins a growing list of countries – including the US, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Malaysia and India – to announce measures which will help to detect and assess any new Covid variants among arrivals from China.

The UK Foreign Office advised potential travellers that China is currently experiencing its largest Covid-19 outbreak, and there may be an increased risk of infection. 

"You should ensure you have a supply of medication for Covid-19 or flu-like symptoms," the FCDO added in a statement.

"Covid-19 restrictions have been significantly relaxed, but some restrictions remain in place across mainland China."

Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association (BTA), described the move as a "sucker punch to the entire travel industry".

"Business travel was expected to take off from January but this is a huge step backwards for customer and corporate confidence," he added.

"We urge the Department for Transport to reconsider introducing testing in favour of an enhanced sequencing programme on arrival.

"This alone will provide the data to protect the health of our nation rather than inching back towards being an isolated island."