Brits desperate for a summer holiday could be offered fresh hope as a green list of 24 countries is reportedly due to be released in two weeks.
Destinations such as Portugal, Malta, Gibraltar, Barbados and the Maldives could offer non-essential travel to Brits from as early as mid May, The Times reports.
France has announced vaccinated Brits can travel to the country from early June, while Greece also offered hope of non-essential travel over the summer.
The earliest that foreign travel could resume is from May 17, as part of the next phase of England's lockdown roadmap.
Meanwhile, head of BioNTech, the pharmaceutical company involved in producing the Pfizer vaccine, claimed Europe could achieve herd immunity within four months, The Times adds.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed in the Commons on Thursday the travel traffic light system would be based on four tests: vaccination rates, the number of coronavirus cases, the prevalence of “variants of concern” and the quality of testing data.
Mr Shapps also confirmed Brits will be able to use the NHS app as a Covid vaccine passport when heading to sunnier shores, whether to prove they've been vaccinated or have had a negative test result.
Countries will be divided into green, amber and red lists which will determine rules for quarantine and testing when you return to the UK.
The green list is the most appealing for holidaymakers because it doesn't require self-isolation or quarantine.
The rules for each of the lists:
Green list: No quarantine or self-isolation required when you're back in the UK, although you will need to take a PCR test on day two of your return.
Amber list: You'll need to self-isolate at home for 10 days, taking a PCR test on days two and five. You can be released early from self-isolation with a negative result on day five, otherwise you will need to take another test on day eight.
Red list: You'll need to stay in a quarantine hotel for 10 days (and fork out the £1,750 cost yourself), taking PCR tests on days two, and eight. Test and release won't apply here.
Regardless of the list your destination is on, you'll still need to fill out a passenger locator form and take a pre-departure Covid test before your return to the UK.
The 'passports' are also expected to be used to prove whether you have had a recent negative Covid test or you have antibodies because of a recent infection.
The government has previously said the NHS is also working on providing a 'non-digital' option for people who need to prove their Covid status.
