Covid: Balearics and Malta added to UK's green travel list

Published
About sharing Related Topics
image copyright EPA
image caption The Balearic Islands - which include Menorca, pictured - are being added to the list

The Balearic Islands, Malta, Madeira and Barbados are among the places being added to UK government's green travel list, the transport secretary has said.

From 04:00 on 30 June, people entering the UK from these places do not have to quarantine, Grant Shapps confirmed.

He also said there were plans to allow quarantine-free travel from amber list countries for people who were fully vaccinated.

Six destinations have been added to the government's red list.

However, the prospect of European holidays could face another hurdle after German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested all EU countries should make British travellers quarantine on arrival to slow the spread of the Delta variant.

The destinations added to the green list from 04:00 BST on 30 June are:

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • The Balearic Islands (which include Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca and Formentera)
  • Barbados
  • Bermuda
  • British Antarctic Territory
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Madeira
  • Malta
  • Montserrat
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Turks and Caicos Islands

The places added to the red lists for the same time are:

  • Dominican Republic
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Mongolia
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda

Those travelling to the UK from these countries will need to quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.

Mr Shapps tweeted it was the government's intention that "later in the summer" UK residents who were fully vaccinated would no longer have to self-isolate after travelling from amber list countries.

He said the government would set out details of this next month.

Currently, people travelling from the UK to Greece, Spain and Portugal are not required to quarantine .

Those going to Italy have to self-isolate for five days then take a test, while fully-vaccinated UK visitors to France can enter without quarantining.

The travel rules are broadly the same between the UK nations and previous changes to the lists have been adopted by all four nations.

Travel bosses have been calling for the green list to be expanded and for an exemption to quarantine for fully-vaccinated people from amber list countries.

Most holiday hotspots are currently on the amber list, meaning travellers returning to the UK have to self-isolate for 10 days, as well as pay for tests.

Earlier, Boris Johnson said there was a "real opportunity" to open travel this summer for those who have had two jabs.

Speaking earlier about the prospect of a change to travel rules, Mr Johnson said: "The most important thing is that we think double jabs do offer a good way forward, we think they offer the hope of travel this summer.

"More than 60% of our population have now had two jabs, I think 83% have had one jab, we're really getting through it now. The crucial thing is, come forward and get your second jab," he said.

The UK government reviews which countries are on which list every three weeks, and the last update - when Portugal was stripped from the green list - was three weeks ago on 3 June.

As well as the latest announcement, the government has also said there will be a "checkpoint" review of the rules for each category on Monday 28 June. That could be when ministers decide whether to relax quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers.

Earlier this week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said ministers were "working on" plans for fully-vaccinated people to be exempt from quarantine if they returned from amber-list countries.

On Wednesday, workers in the industry, including cabin crew, pilots, travel agents and airport staff, held a series of protests against the rules.

They called on the government to offer the industry more financial support and increase the number of countries on the UK's green list.

Industry body Abta, representing travel agents and tour operators, estimated 195,000 travel jobs have been lost during the pandemic or are at risk.

The government said its international travel policy was guided by "one overwhelming priority - protecting public health".

It said a range of factors were considered when making decisions about countries - including how capable a country is at genomic sequencing, the risk of transmission and the risk from any variants of concern.

The government added it was keeping all possible travel measures under review, and that economic support for the sector included the furlough scheme.

Related Topics

More on this story

  • Published
    3 hours ago
  • Published
    8 June
  • Published
    1 day ago
  • Published
    6 hours ago
  • Published
    2 days ago


from Via PakapNews

Post a Comment

Please Select Embedded Mode To Show The Comment System.*

Previous Post Next Post

Ad Code

Arsip Blog

3/related/default

"Welcome to PakapNews, your go-to source for the latest news and updates from Pakistan and around the world. Our team of dedicated journalists bring you accurate and unbiased coverage on politics, business, sports, entertainment, and more. Stay informed with in-depth analysis and expert commentary, as well as breaking news alerts and multimedia content. Trust PakapNews for reliable and up-to-date information, delivered to you 24/7."