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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Helen Carter

When is Grant Shapps' Downing Street press conference?

It's been much-anticipated all week - the Downing Street press conference ahead of the next phase of lockdown easing in England on May 17.

An announcement is expected on when international travel can return, using a traffic-light system of red, amber and green countries, later today, as part of step three of restrictions easing.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is leading the briefing tonight on the next phase of the roadmap restrictions being lifted in 10 days' time.

He's widely expected to introduce a traffic-light system for international travel - as green, amber and red countries are brought in.

A very small number of countries are expected to be on the 'green' list as a result of their vaccination figures, rates of infection and new variants.

Travellers at Gatwick ahead of the Downing Street press conference later (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Holidaymakers will will finally discover which destinations they can visit this summer without having to quarantine as the government is set to unveil their travel 'green list'.

Portugal, Iceland and Malta are among those expected to make the cut, along with Gibraltar and Israel.

However, tourist hot spots likely Spain and Greece are likely to begin on the amber list initially.

The press conference is expected to begin at 5pm. We will bring you live updates from the press conference as they happen.

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