Hancock quizzed over quarantine hotels
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No date has been set for when quarantine hotels will be made mandatory in England, but the health secretary promised "strong" action at the border to protect against new coronavirus variants.
Matt Hancock could not say when the government-provided accommodation for residents and nationals arriving from 30 countries will open, after the ambition was announced last week.
Pressed on the issue multiple times by Sky News, he said, "that will be set out shortly" and that he was "working on these proposals" - but declined to give a date.
© PA Wire/PA ImagesHealth Secretary Matt Hancock during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (Covid-19). Picture date: Monday February 1, 2021. (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/PA Images via Getty Images)
Ministers are under pressure following the revelation that their scientific advisers warned on 21 January that only mandatory hotel quarantine for all travellers arriving in the UK could come close to preventing the import of new strains.
Meanwhile, people in at least eight postcodes are being told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary after the South African variant was found in those areas - seemingly passed on through community transmission.
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Though one scientific adviser told Sky News the 105 cases identified so far is likely a "big underestimate".
Mr Hancock said a "mutation of concern" was also discovered in Bristol and Liverpool and that it was "absolutely critical" that "we stamp on it", adding: "It requires a team effort from all of us."
© ReutersPassengers from international flights arrive at Heathrow Airport
He denied the government was moving too slowly on toughening quarantine measures, adding he was "looking always to strengthen protections further".
Labour has accused the government of a "reckless policy of leaving our borders unlocked and open to further risk".
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps later said banning all travel in and out of the UK "wouldn't be safe" but instead "pretty shaky" because of the need to move medicine, food, people and raw materials in and out of the country.
© Imagebridge'Surge testing' is being rolled out in at least eight postcodes
Welcoming a new report on the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, Mr Hancock said it was "very good news" the jab has been shown to reduce hospitalisations and cut the number of people who have COVID-19.
He suggested the success of the rollout could mean summer holidays are on the cards, saying "I very much hope" they will be able to go ahead.
More than 9.5 million people in the UK have had their first coronavirus vaccine, with the government saying it is on track to meet its target of around 15 million from the top four highest priority groups by mid-February.
Mr Hancock said on Wednesday that a "vaccine has always been the way out of this" and that the rollout's speed shows "British science working extremely well".
He added that people may need a booster shot of the jab every year like with flu and that he is working with companies on developing those.
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Stay alert to stop coronavirus spreading - here is the latest government guidance. If you think you have the virus, don't go to the GP or hospital, stay indoors and get advice online. Only call NHS 111 if you cannot cope with your symptoms at home; your condition gets worse; or your symptoms do not get better after seven days. In parts of Wales where 111 isn't available, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. In Scotland anyone with symptoms is advised to self-isolate for seven days. In Northern Ireland, call your GP.