A proposed ban on leaving the UK without a reasonable excuse has been welcomed by Gazette readers.

Brits wanting to travel abroad without a valid reason face fines of up to £5,000 from next week.

The legislation for restrictions over the coming months, as the Government sets out its road map for coming out of lockdown, was published on Monday.

Entitled the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Steps) (England) Regulations 2021, the laws come into force on March 29.

It suggests anyone who breaks such rules could face a £5,000 fine.

There is also a £200 fixed penalty notice for failing to fill in a travel declaration form – giving personal details and reasons for travel – for those planning to leave the UK.

It comes as a senior scientific adviser has suggested people should plan to holiday in the UK this summer.

Professor Neil Ferguson, whose modelling led to the first UK lockdown last March, said relaxing border measures too early risked the success of the UK’s vaccination programme.

He said the risk from Europe is the arrival of new variants, or importing cases of the troubling South African variant from countries where cases were rising.

The majority of Gazette readers were in support of the plans.

Claude Hull said: “Why on earth does anyone want to go abroad for a holiday when the virus is still serious there.

“They are selfish could easily catch and bring another dose back with them. Why can’t they wait.”

Michelle Gibbs added: “I think we need to be stricter with who is entering UK not so much who is leaving. It was all left too late this time last year.”

But others questioned why holiday firms had been allowed the promote trips which would end up not going ahead.

Suzy Carter said: “Get the vaccine they say and you can go on holiday - book your holiday and now you can’t go.

“Covid is here to stay. The government needs to stop changing the rules.”

Ciska Kellie said it would mean she would not be able to visit her family in the Netherlands.

She said: For me personally, not good. I travel to see my family in Holland that I haven’t seen in over two years.

“Not to lie on some beach in the South of France. Is it essential travel? Yes, it’s very essential for my mental health.”