There is a growing concern that Spain's Balearic Islands could be plunged into the red category on the UK travel traffic light system.
The islands, including popular holiday hotspots like Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, have seen infections rise in recent days and it now appears the region will lose its green status in the next review on Thursday.
However, there is speculation the move could be announced even earlier. Infection rates have tripled in just two weeks to 402 per 100,000 citizens just a fortnight after they were cleared for quarantine free-travel.
Travel expert Paul Charles told the Telegraph: "Balearics will go amber in Thursday’s traffic light review, but could go straight from green watchlist to red. Ministers concerned by high test positivity at 9% and daily infections reaching second-highest ever level," warned travel expert Paul Charles this morning.
Mainland Spain, Cyprus and Portugal are also seeing high infection rates, according to the ratings used by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
All three destinations are on the UK’s amber list meaning that from July 19, double-jabbed UK holidaymakers will not need to isolate on return but if any turn red, visitors will be faced with hotel quarantine.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has already warned some countries on the green list for travel could be bumped back to the amber list due to rising case numbers.
He said: “We review these every three weeks. I hope we have made very clear to everybody when booking trips at the moment there is always the chance that countries will move around.
"Some countries may go to the red list, some countries may go to the green, but some may move the other way to the amber list.
“It is a fact of life that they will continue to move around as the virus continues to develop and change globally.”
Those travelling to amber listed countries, such as mainland Spain, have to self-isolate for 10 days on their return to England.
However, as of July 19 the requirement to quarantine will be scrapped for the fully vaccinated and those aged under 18.
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
