People travelling into the UK from selected red list countries will be able to avoid quarantine under new plans.
Currently anyone landing in the UK from a red list area is forced to quarantine in a hotel at a cost of thousands.
But under the new proposal people entering the UK from "travel hub" countries such as Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain would be able to escape quarantine if certain conditions are met - reports LancsLive.
READ MORE: Spain, Greece, France and more issue new travel rules for UK tourists
The exemption would be applicable for travellers who remain airside of so-called "travel hubs" and do not physically enter the red-listed country.
It comes ahead of restrictions for fully-vaccinated EU and US citizens reportedly being lifted to allow for quarantine-free travel from amber list countries.
A government source said that an agreement was soon to be reached, it has been reported.
The Telegraph reports that a source said: "We are close to agreement and it will be announced in the next week or so."
Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak has written to Boris Johnson calling for the easing of restrictions.
The chancellor reportedly told the PM that the current border restrictions were "out of step with our international competitors".
He claimed the border policy was damaging the tourism industry as well as the wider economy.
The Sunday Times reported that in a letter to the Prime Minster he said the country's border policy was out of step with international partners and was having a damaging impact on jobs.
Paul Charles, the chief executive of the travel consultancy The PC Agency, echoed those sentiments: “The infection rates in the hubs have fallen. Opening them up is vital to the future success of aviation.
“Aviation has grown in recent years on the back of strong interconnectivity at these hubs. Without them, the airlines cannot operate at anything like the capacity they need.
“It would be major progress if they opened the hubs for transit passengers but it is only when they come off the red list that it will make a true difference to the travel sector.”
Senior ministers are expected to look at coronavirus data in the coming days ahead of the next update of the traffic light system for foreign travel.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to announce which countries are safe to visit on Thursday.
