The prime minister will welcome Angela Merkel to the UK on Friday, with coronavirus travel restrictions expected to be high on the agenda for their talks.

Boris Johnson will host the German chancellor at his country residence of Chequers, Mrs Merkel’s final visit before she steps down later this year.

COVID-19 is anticipated to be among the topics up for discussion, particularly in the wake of Mrs Merkel reportedly calling for the European Union to ban all UK travellers from entering the bloc regardless of their vaccination status.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fully-vaccinated Britons have been promised they will be able to travel to amber list countries – including the likes of Germany, France, Greece, Italy and Portugal – without having to quarantine upon their return “later this summer”.

But according to The Times, the German chancellor wants the EU to designate Britain as a “country of concern” due to the spread of the Delta variant.

Germany has already designated the UK a “virus variant region”, meaning anyone arriving from Britain and Northern Ireland has to quarantine for two weeks on arrival.

The two leaders, who last met at the G7 summit in Cornwall last month, are also expected to discuss relations between London and Berlin when they sit down for talks.

Mrs Merkel is set to address a virtual meeting of the British cabinet as part of her trip, while the PM will also announce the creation of a new academic medal in her honour.

Every year, an award of £10,000 will be given to a UK or Germany-based female scientist who has excelled in the field of astrophysics.

Subscribe to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The medal will be named after Caroline Herschel, a German-born British astrophysicist who was a pioneer in the field, with the first award expected to be made in early 2022.

“The UK and Germany have a steadfast friendship and a shared outlook on many issues,” Mr Johnson said in a written statement released by Downing Street ahead of the visit.

“Our scientists, innovators and industrialists work together every day to make the world a better place.

“Over the 16 years of Chancellor Merkel’s tenure the UK-Germany relationship has been re-energised and reinvigorated for a new era. And the new joint ventures we will agree today will leave a legacy that will last for generations.”

The Queen will receive Mrs Merkel at Windsor Castle on Friday.

Mrs Merkel, who came to power in 2005 and is the first female chancellor of Germany, is making a number of farewell visits as she prepares to step down.

Related posts:

UK records another drop in COVID infections as number of first jabs hits 22.2 million Boy, 17, killed after ‘metal pole touched electrical line’ in Lancashire ‘Culture of misogyny’ could mean men get more lenient sentences – commissioners Prince Philip was ‘a legend of banter’ and ‘master of the barbecue’, says Harry Pints, parmos, and people: The British pub is back – for now at least… Calls for Monday’s lockdown easing to be delayed, as SAGE warns variant could pressure hospitals Surge testing for Indian and South African variants under way across England Excitement and cheers as runners unite at COVID-safe London races Plymouth shooting victim Lee Martyn ‘had kindest heart’ and young daughter Sophie ‘beautiful’ ‘COVID is still out there’: PM says our position is ‘challenging’ – amid warning over Delta variant in winter Efforts to eradicate a debilitating parasite are being hampered by dogs eating infected fish Carlisle United limits fans in ground to 9,999 to avoid Plan B rules – despite not getting that many all season