Most hotels are closed (apart from key workers that need them) I don`t think people coming from abroad are a huge risk as they are coming from countries that are also in lockdown. Most outstations are temperature testing people before departure although not on arrival as if they have no symptoms on departure, they won't have them on arrival.
>>> A lot of them are Europeans in transit through the UK
. . . or, indeed, US citizens (among others) seeking to get home and simply changing aircraft at Heathrow. (Heathrow and Schipol are two of the biggest 'hub' airports in the world. Even during 'normal' times, a high percentage of passengers using those airports are simply using their transit facilities).
I can't think why anyone would want to visit the UK for a holiday during lockdown - despite what an annonymous Border Control person says. I did go to a South American country a while ago after their lockdown and encountered 3 guys who were going on holiday there though. However, in my experienced opinion, I think they might have been drug mules.
>If I landed at Heathrow I could wander off to wherever I like.
I think it's a fair assumption that they are going to go home-I'm not sure where else they might go, but maybe they should be asked to declare this on arrival or at least have to declare that have seen and will follow the government's Stay Home guidance and go directly home. What else can we do with them- apart from the testing/quarantine option ?
In the US there are a lot of flights landing in Orlando, can't imagine what they'll be doing with all the parks etc shut, it's a prettty dismal place for a vacation otherwise!
//I think it's a fair assumption that they are going to go home-I'm not sure where else they might go//
They are not going home, f-f. Home seems to be where they've come from according to the article I cited. As for them declaring their intentions on arrival, nobody is asked anything. I spoke to a friend who arrived home to Heathrow from Europe last week. Nobody asked him (or anybody else) anything. He simply went through the e-Gates upon arrival. What we can do is to prevent all arrivals apart from residents returning home.