The Netherlands has declared Britain to be a very high risk area for coronavirus, which means no travel unless absolutely essential.

The Dutch health ministry said on Friday evening that the decision had been taken because of the ‘worrying delta variant of the coronavirus’ which is now the dominant strain in the UK.

Britain recorded 8,125 Covid infections in the 24 hours to Friday, in the highest daily count since February and hospital admissions rose by another 40% week-on-week.

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Myanmar and Nepal have also been added to the very high risk list, for the same reason, the health ministry said. India was already included.

The decision means that from just after midnight on Tuesday, everyone returning to the Netherlands from Britain must go into mandatory quarantine for at least five days or face a fine of €339. They must also carry a completed quarantine declaration or be fined €95.

In addition, travelers by plane or boat must have a negative PCR list no older than 72 hours plus a fast test of no older than 24 hours. The same applies to car, bus and train passengers.

There are some exceptions, including people working in the transport industry.

Last month, the Netherlands replaced a ban on flights from very high risk areas with mandatory quarantine, but many are concerned about the lack of controls on people who are supposed to be in isolation.

Door Indiase variant nemen besmettingen🇬🇧weer rap toe.

🇩🇪heeft daarom vliegverbod+quarantaine voor hoogrisicolanden
🇫🇷heeft ook nog test bij aankomst
🇳🇱heeft álle vliegverboden opgeheven ivm quarantaineplicht die nog niet gehandhaafd wordt

Zeer onverstandig. Vandaag stemming👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/4biNb9woWx

— Jan Paternotte (@jpaternotte) June 8, 2021

The cabinet has now pledged to look into setting up tougher checks on people in quarantine after MPs voted in favour of a D66 motion calling for the resumption of flight bans to be reconsidered.