International arrivals could be forced to wear electronic tags for 10 days to make sure they strict to strict quarantine rules, under plans drawn up for Priti Patel.
Home Office officials explored the controversial plans in a nine-page draft "borders enforcement' policy paper last week. Singapore introduced a similar policy last summer to make sure arrivals stayed in their accommodation rather than a state-appointed facility.
Ministers are meeting on Friday to discuss tightening up border restrictions amid fears that new Covid strains from Brazil and South Africa could lead to more infections.
They are also understood to be looking at putting travellers into hotel accommodation, as they do in Australia and New Zealand, to curb case numbers.