Travellers remain unable to book a room at a quarantine hotel just three days before they become mandatory for arrivals from “red list” countries.

People attempting to access the booking website receive a message which states: “We’ll be back soon! Sorry for the inconvenience but we’re performing some maintenance at the moment.”

Difficulties with the website have been reported since it went live on Thursday afternoon.

Home Secretary Priti Patel urged people to “persevere” with the website.

She told an LBC radio listener who is struggling to plan her return from the US: “I do understand there have been problems with the testing package website, which I think was launched yesterday.

“I’ve been told it was back up and running this morning so please persevere with this.

“This is a fresh website clearly.”

UK nationals or residents returning to England from 33 red list countries will be required to quarantine for 10 days in a Government-approved hotel from Monday.

This will cost £1,750 for a single adult.

People face being fined up to £4,000 if they arrive in England without making a booking.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said the booking portal “will be open” before Monday, with rooms available to be used from that date.