We may now have the green light for international travel but that green light only applies to green list countries.
So far only 12 countries have made it on to the green list for travel. Portugal being one of the main holiday destinations highlighted.
We are now in the hands of the government's new traffic light system, so when will the next travel announcement be made?
Under the new system, termed the 'traffic light system' countries are categorised according to coronavirus risk into 'red', 'amber' or 'green' risk levels.
The government advises that only green countries should be considered for travel and there are strict quarantine rules for all other destinations.
While many will be keen to know if they can book a European holiday any time soon, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urged patience. He told the Financial Times: “I don’t think people have a very long time to wait before other countries are able to join the green list.”
He added that France’s vaccination rate is six to eight weeks behind the UK, which could mean the country would be considered relatively safe to visit by the summer.
When the traffic light system was first announced, the government stated that it would be reviewed every three weeks. That means the next update is due on Monday, June 7.
However, the government website notes that "countries and territories can be moved between lists if conditions change" and "if there is a sudden change in conditions, a country or territory may be moved between lists without warning."
The current green list includes Portugal, Gibraltar, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore, but here's the full 'safe' list
- Australia
- Brunei
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- Gibraltar
- Iceland
- Israel and Jerusalem
- New Zealand
- Portugal including the Azores and Madeira
- Singapore
- South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
- St Helena, Ascension and Tristan de Cunha
