Italy has been removed from England’s travel corridor list, meaning people returning from the country will have to self-isolate for 14 days if they return after 4am on Sunday.

The new rule also applies to San Marino and the Vatican City State.

But the Greek island of Crete has been added to the travel corridor list following a decrease in confirmed cases of coronavirus.  

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own exemption lists which are similar but not identical.

Italy recorded its highest ever daily number of coronavirus cases on Wednesday, with 7,332. This brings its seven-day rate of cases per 100,000 people to 64.

A rate of 20 is the threshold above which the government considers triggering quarantine conditions.

The figures were calculated by the PA news agency based on data collected by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The removal of Italy’s exemption is a further blow to the UK’s travel industry as it is one of its last big markets without a quarantine requirement for returning holidaymakers.

Last week Italy introduced compulsory coronavirus testing for arriving UK visitors.

Arrivals from European countries such as the UK, France and Spain must provide evidence of a negative test taken in the 72 hours prior to travel.

Visitors unable to provide proof of a negative result at the border have to take a test in Italy.