Heathrow says it will be setting up a dedicated facility for passengers on direct flights from red list countries, following concerns that they were mixing with those from green and amber nations.

This facility will be set up in Terminal 3 from 1 June and will then be moved to Terminal 4 as soon as operationally possible.

People arriving in England from red list countries need to quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days, as well as having a pre-departure COVID test, plus tests on day two and day eight.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Red list routes will likely be a feature of UK travel for the foreseeable future as countries vaccinate their populations at different rates.

“We’re adapting Heathrow to this longer-term reality by initially opening a dedicated arrivals facility in Terminal 3 from June 1st for red list passengers arriving on direct flights.

“We will move this facility to Terminal 4 as soon as operationally possible.

“While opening this facility will be logistically very challenging, our hope is that it will enable Border Force to carry out its duties more efficiently as passenger volumes increase in line with the green list.

“Until then, the current red list system will remain in place.

“This system has been designed by the government and has several layers of protection to keep passengers and colleagues safe – including mandatory negative COVID tests for all international arrivals, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, segregation and enhanced cleaning regimes and ventilation in immigration halls.”

It comes after airport staff raised fears for their safety because of overcrowding, amid concerns that travellers arriving from red list countries are mixing with those from green and amber.

Travellers from different lists are stuck in a bottleneck before immigration, said the GMB union.

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