Holidays abroad could be a "very long" way away, according to a scientific expert.
Sir Jeremy Farrah, a member of the Government's SAGE, said the latest travel restrictions are likely to remain in place for a "very long time" as the vaccination programme in the UK alone was not enough.
He argued that for UK travellers to head abroad, more countries need to vaccinate their populations.
He also warned that any measures need to be "comprehensive", which indicates the current quarantine hotel scheme affecting just 30 countries worldwide may not be enough - reports Mirror Online.
He said on BBC's Today Programme: " Travel restrictions can buy you time, but they do need to be comprehensive and they wont prevent variants arriving.
"They have to be very smart and comprehensive and go on a very long time.
"Look at what Australia and New Zealand are going through with their travel restrictions."
The UK is leading the way with its vaccination programme which has seen the Government issue 10.5 vaccination doses per 100 people.
This is far higher than holiday destinations such as Spain (2.49), France (1.51) and Greece (1.51).
Sir Jeremy also said that we need to "learn lessons from 2020" saying that if the UK had imposed restrictions in January and February on high-risk countries, this would have likely been China.
The virus is believed to have started in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
He explained: "But almost all the viruses arriving in the UK in January, February and March came from Europe."
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove also warned Brits not to expect the travel restrictions to be lifted 'prematurely'.
Responding to Mr Gove, Sir Jeremy said on Twitter: "For any travel restrictions to work [they] need to be comprehensive & in place for a long time.
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"[They] Work best when transmission is very low here & much higher elsewhere.
"They might buy you time [but] they do not ultimately prevent spread unless you use that time to change fundamentals of infection."
But he offered some hope that the restrictions could be eased during 2021, but that we would need to get vaccines "to the world" first.
Mr Gove agreed, adding: "As we proceed with our vaccination programme, and others proceed with theirs, there’s light at the end of the tunnel."
The new quarantine hotel scheme was announced last night meaning travellers arriving into the UK from countries deemed high-risk will need to spend their isolation in 'government provided accommodation'.
Travellers will be met at the airport and transported to the quarantine hotels.
However, the new quarantine hotels won’t be mandatory for all UK arrivals - just those who are travelling back from the 30 countries.
Travel is already banned completely for non-Brits who have been in those 30 countries in the last 30 days.
This will run alongside other rules for UK arrivals such as being required to take a Covid-19 test 72 hours before departure with proof of a negative result.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced that anyone who tries to leave the UK will need to declare a valid reason, or risk a fine or being sent home from the airport.
The news comes as part of a wider crackdown following a minority of Brits who are continuing to go on holiday during lockdown.
As a result of the ban on international travel, most airlines have drastically reduced their schedules, while holiday firms have cancelled holidays, with firms such as TUI and easyJet holidays having cancelled trips until March.
