declare interface T {
  foo: string;
}

const immutable: T | ReadonlyArray<T> = [];

if (Array.isArray(immutable)) {
  const x = immutable; // Any[]  - Should be ReadonlyArray<T>
} 

const mutable: T | Array<T> = [];

if (Array.isArray(mutable)) {
  const x = mutable; // T[]
}