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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jonathan Coles

UK travel: Seven new countries added to green list as quarantine travel from France resumes

Seven more countries have been added to the green travel list in a boost for Covid-weary Brits.

Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Romania have all been green-lit, joining Malta, Madeira and Croatia.

And while Austria and Norway are yet to welcome Brits back yet, the changes are still great news for holidaymakers.

France has also been moved from the confusing amber plus list to the amber list.

As of July 19, those who have received both doses of the Covid vaccine are able to travel to amber list countries without having to quarantine upon their return.

It is thought this will spark a surge in Brits travelling to France - although the announcement of the extended use of the 'health pass' has caused chaos.

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France has been taken off the amber plus list, and moved back to amber (Getty Images)

From today, France has extended the scope of the technology rollout, which is now compulsory to visit a café, board a plane, or travel on an inter-city train.

People must upload proof of being double vaccinated to the app.

So, those without the app, or Brits who do not have a smartphone, could be refused entry to hundreds of hotspots.

The latest update - announced by transport minister Grant Shapps last Wednesday - came into effect at 4am on Sunday.

In other travel news, Boris Johnson has been urged to cap the cost of private Covid-19 tests to prevent foreign holidays becoming a luxury open only to the wealthiest families.

A list of providers which meet minimum testing standards on the Government website shows more than 100 outlets charging £200 or more.

Analysis of the list by the Liberal Democrats shows just 11 per cent of the providers offered tests for under £50, with the cheapest offering prices ranging from £20.

Some 24 per cent of the providers were charging more than £200 - with the Mayfair GP clinic listed as £575, although its own website said prices start at £399.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has asked the competition watchdog to investigate the market for travel PCR tests in response to concerns about the cost for families travelling abroad.

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated arriving in England from amber list countries, such as Spain or France, must self-isolate 10 days upon arrival and take a PCR test on day two and day eight.

Individual countries still have their own entry requirements - so check before you fly (Getty Images)

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They may be able to get out of quarantine early if you pay for a private PCR test to be taken on day five under the Test to Release scheme.

Those with two vaccines only need to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival and can skip self-isolation - the same rules apply to those who are under the age of 18 regardless of their vaccination status.

Anyone returning from a green list country need only have proof of a negative Covid-19 test before travel, fill in a passenger locator form and take a test on day two after arrival.

Mr Javid acknowledged that the cost of the tests can act as a barrier to travel in a letter to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), particularly for families.

A CMA spokesman said: "We are aware of concerns about the evolving markets for Covid-19 tests for international travellers.

"We look forward to providing the Secretary of State with advice on how best to ensure that travellers have access to tests that are affordable and reliable."

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