Some 15,000 people are flying into the UK without coronavirus tests every day, it has emerged.

Ministers have refused to close down airports altogether since the crisis began despite advising Britons against non-essential travel.

But Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted the flows into the country will make no significant difference, as there is already so much transmission.

Polls have shown strong public support for the idea of cutting transport links, as has happened in some other places.

Passenger traffic has plunged at airports such as Heathrow (pictured this week), as many routes have effectively closed down anyway

Passenger traffic has plunged at airports such as Heathrow, as many routes have effectively closed down anyway.

However, while Home Secretary Priti Patel is believed to have pushed for tighter border restrictions, the Foreign Office has been keen for channels to stay open, in part to help repatriate Britons from abroad.

In interview yesterday Mr Hancock confirmed routine testing is not taking place in airports because the number of people has 'dropped very dramatically'.

Asked for a figure, the Health Secretary said: 'It's about 15,000 a day at the moment.'

On people continuing to travel to the UK from countries with high rates of transmission, Mr Hancock said: 'At the current rate of transmission here, the scientists say that the epidemiological impact of keeping the travel open is very small, because there's already large transmission here.

'But what I want to do is see the transmission rates here come down, which is why following this guidance is so important.'

Heathrow has said it expects passenger traffic to be down 90 per cent this month, with remaining flights mainly limited to repatriating UK citizens.

The hub is instead focusing on cargo-only flights.

Before the coronavirus crisis most cargo was transported in the hold of passenger planes.