A traffic light system - with high-risk regions such as South Africa and South America labelled red - could mean some foreign holidays are allowed, a Government scientific adviser has suggested.
Professor Andrew Hayward, from University College London, hinted holidays abroad could be possible with the right structures in place and suggested a traffic lights system of red, amber and green destinations is implemented.
This is how it would work:
Red: Some places are likely to be no-go areas, likely to be South Africa and South America, where there are fears over new variants surfacing or where infections are rampant.
Amber: Other areas will be covered by strict Covid rules, meaning there will be some combination of vaccine certificates, testing and maybe quarantine for travellers.
Green: There could be a few low-risk destinations where restrictions are not as tight, such as Iceland and Gibraltar.
Under the current road map for easing restrictions, the earliest date people in England could go on holiday abroad would be May 17.
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, which introduced an unofficial traffic light system last summer, said: “Widespread testing on arrival at the airport, as well as the introduction of a clear traffic light system, would enable safe and responsible overseas travel to resume, while also protecting two million jobs at risk if travel this summer can’t be saved.
“The traffic lights system would bring much-needed clarity to consumers as countries would be categorised by criteria including the status of their vaccine rollout, infection rates and hospital infrastructure.
“It would be designed to give visibility to those going away on how a country is performing and what the risks may be.
“The system could be updated each week, in line with the EU’s own system, and if consumers are forced to return from their trip early due to a higher risk emerging, then it could be done with less distress than was caused last summer by the sudden removal of travel corridors.
“Consumers are prepared to accept sun, sand, sea and swab tests this summer if it means a safe overseas trip.”
