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A clutch of top holiday destinations could be removed from the red list in the latest traffic light update expected later this week.
Covid data analyst, Tim White, has predicted that 12 countries popular with British travellers could be promoted to the amber list, removing the mandatory hotel quarantine requirement. Among them are Turkey and the key winter sun destinations of South Africa and the Maldives. All three countries are currently reporting Covid rates significantly lower than the UK’s and are accepting British travellers.
Mr White highlighted to The Independent that Argentina, Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru and Sri Lanka also qualify to be relieved of their red list status.
The predictions follow other reports that the red list is expected to be significantly shrunk, with a new definition adopted for when countries are put on it, based on dangerous Covid variants.
Currently there are 62 countries on the list. But a much shorter list – possibly based on prevalence of the beta variant first found in South Africa – is thought to be issued instead. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said as many as 24 red list countries could fall off the list if the beta variant became a key factor in decision-making.
Scroll down for more of the latest.
Pre-departure tests for double-jabbed travellers could be axed
Pre-departure tests for double-jabbed Britons returning to the UK face the axe under plans being considered by ministers to ease restrictions on foreign travel for holidaymakers, reports Charles Hymas.
Ministers will meet this week to determine whether the tests, required to be taken 72 hours before flying back to the UK, should be ditched for fully vaccinated travellers returning from “low risk” countries.
The tests, which are generally cheaper lateral flows costing £30 per person, would, however, be retained for any travellers from “high risk” red list countries, and for any arrivals into the UK who are not vaccinated.
The option comes on top of a government intention, set out by Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, at the weekend to ditch the more expensive PCR tests for double-jabbed travellers once they are back in the UK, and replace them with the cheaper lateral flow tests.
What happened yesterday?
A recap of Monday’s top stories.
- Red list quarantine is ‘breach of human rights’, says law firm
- PCR tests for double-vaccinated travellers ‘to be dropped’
- Fines of up to £10,000 for Covid travel test ‘cowboys’
- Holiday prices will be ‘dramatically higher’, says Ryanair boss
- Heathrow loses top spot in Europe
Now, on with today’s latest travel news.