A passenger arrives at Heathrow, while the EU has banned almost all travellers from outside the bloc

Thousands of passengers from coronavirus hotspots such as Iran, Italy and even China are flying into Britain, despite the government’s domestic lockdown.

Flights have been arriving in London from Beijing and Rome every day, while Iran Air is operating three flights a week from Tehran.

The revelation follows a decision by the EU last week to ban virtually all travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days.

Yesterday two Air China flights from Beijing, as well as a China Eastern service from Shanghai, landed at Heathrow. A separate flight from Shanghai touched down at Gatwick in the morning. The next flight from Iran, the country with the third-highest death toll, is scheduled to arrive in London this afternoon.

Italy’s national carrier, Alitalia, continues to operate