In a new report being expected from the British Government, there is the likelihood that only eight countries may be declared safe for foreign holidays abroad, this summer. The report written by Robert Boyle, former BA strategy chief, and circulated in the travel industry suggests that most of continental Europe will be classified as “amber” or “red” – this means quarantine will be required for anyone arriving in the UK from those locations.
Ireland, Iceland, the USA and Malta could all be placed on the green list for foreign travel, under the traffic light system – along with Israel, Australia, New Zealand and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.
Both Australia and New Zealand are closed to foreign tourists currently, which mean in real terms there may only be six destinations. Also, going abroad on holiday in England is illegal – rules are set to be relaxed from May 17 if the roadmap out of the lockdown continues as planned.
People arriving from countries listed as “red” would be required to quarantine at a hotel at a cost of £1,750 when they return to England. Arrival would only be allowed through designated ports-of-entry including London’s Heathrow Airport.
The Netherlands, France, Turkey, Croatia, Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg should be “red” under the criteria, researchers found, but this is unlikely to happen for political reasons, the report stated.
Countries classified as “amber” will require people to quarantine at home for 10 days after their arrival.
Due to high Covid-19 rates in Spain, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus, they are likely to be classed as “amber” – but it is possible that islands will be given their own rating. The report said: “Last year, the Spanish and Greek islands were given a lower risk rating than the mainland, and that could happen again this year.”
Only five countries have vaccinated more than five percent of their population – the US, Israel, Gibraltar, the UAE and Malta – while only seven have less than 50 cases per million people. These are China, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Iceland and Gibraltar. Variant rates are worst in Turkey, Luxembourg, France, Finland, Belgium, Holland and South Africa.