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Manchester Evening News

National

Saffron Otter

When is the next holiday review for international travel?

Changes were announced to the travel traffic light system last month, with several new countries added to the green list.

The travel lists were first unveiled when a ban on foreign holidays was lifted on May 17 as part of the lockdown roadmap.

Destinations are categorised as green, amber, or red, depending on the severity and risk of coronavirus.

Until now, only a few select countries made it to the 'green list' - where travellers don't need to quarantine on their return to England.

A Covid PCR test must be taken 72 hours before departure though, and two days after returning.

However it was confirmed in the latest review that popular tourist destinations including Malta, Madeira, and the Balearic Islands will move to the green list from June 30.

The list is still restricted though, with a large number of destinations on the amber list.

And a large proportion of those categorised as green are on the 'watchlist' - where they could be moved without warning.

Here is what we know about the next review:

When is the green list review?

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps (PA)

When the Government announced the travel traffic light system on Monday, May 17, it was confirmed that a review would take place every three weeks.

Announcements by the Transport Secretary always take place on Thursdays.

The first happened on June 3, with the second on June 24.

Therefore the next update is expected on Thursday, July 15 - with changes likely to come into effect on the following Wednesday.

Usually, announcements come late in the day, so it's likely we will hear the outcome of the review from 5pm.

Hope for fully vaccinated travellers

A Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is prepared (PA)

As part of the latest review on June 24, the Government confirmed that their intention is for fully vaccinated travellers to not have to quarantine when travelling from amber list countries later in the summer.

They also announced they aim to remove guidance advising against travel to amber list countries.

More information could be set out in the next review on July 15.

Those heading to an amber country must quarantine at home when returning to the UK for ten days, and take a minimum of two post-arrival tests.

The Department for Transport said: “In recognition of our successful domestic vaccination programme, and as part of the Global Travel Taskforce’s checkpoint review, our intention is that later in the summer, arrivals who are fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine when travelling from amber list countries.

“We expect this to occur in phases, starting with UK residents. They will still be required to take a pre-departure test and a test on Day 2, and any positive results will be sequenced to continue to manage the risk of importing variants.

“At the same time, we intend to remove the guidance that people should not travel to amber countries. Pending decisions on whether under-18s should routinely be offered vaccination, we will also take clinical advice on whether regular testing can provide a safe alternative to quarantine for children accompanied by vaccinated adults.

“Further detail will be set out next month including the rules which will apply to children and those unable to be vaccinated, how we will operationalise this approach at the border, and the dates on which these changes will come into effect.”