Grant Shapps discusses changes to ‘green list’
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps has added Bulgaria and Hong Kong to the UK’s green list for travel. The two destinations are set to go green on July 19. Meanwhile, the Balearic Islands will be added to the amber travel list a little over a fortnight after it went green.
Spain’s popular destinations of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca and Formentera will be removed from the green list exempting all need to self-isolate to England from Monday due to rising coronavirus cases.
But the change will coincide with the end of the need to quarantine for the fully-vaccinated UK residents and the under 18s when returning from amber list nations.
In a boost for holidaymakers, Croatia and Bulgaria will go green, meaning arrivals in England will not have to isolate for 10 days on return regardless of their vaccine status.
Taiwan will also be added to the green list, while the British Virgin Islands will go amber.
Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone will be added to the red list following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.
This means 10 days of isolation in a quarantine hotel are mandatory for these destinations.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the changes will come into effect at 4am on Monday, despite the Balearics having been added to the green list on June 30.
Mr Shapps announced: “Unfortunately, when we put them on the green watchlist, from then we’ve seen the rates double, and also the rates of positivity of these tests double, meaning that we’re going to have to move quickly.“
It is important to note that the moves do not mean travel as normal.
A pre-departure test will be required as well as another two days after returning back in England even from green nations.
Ministers decided the changes on Wednesday after receiving analysis from the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC).
The JBC provides an ongoing assessment of the risks posed by international travel to the Government.
Croatia and Taiwan are being added to the green travel watchlist, in recognition that these countries and territories are at risk of moving from green to amber, the Department for Transport said.
It continued: “Due to a sharp rise in the number of cases, ministers have also taken the decision to move the Balearic Islands and British Virgin Islands from the green watchlist to amber.
“All classification changes are decided by ministers. These are informed by the latest data and analysis by the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and wider public health factors.
“Since the last traffic light review, the case rate has more than doubled in the Balearics.”
Commenting on the latest developments, Martin Nolan, Traveller Rights Expert for Skyscanner said: “We recognise that there is absolutely a need for measures to protect travellers should the situation on the ground in a destination change.
“We have surveyed over a quarter of a million travellers since March 2020, and we know that travelling safely and within the rules is what travellers want to do.”
He continued: “There has been some great headway made for vaccinated travellers, with the news around the amber list quarantine relaxation, but for many travellers there is still confusion and fear of the rules changing abruptly.
“Changes to travel rules and restrictions must be proportionate, sustainable and communicated unambiguously and in plenty of time for travellers and the travel industry. This is the best way to rebuild confidence in traveller’s ability to safely reconnect with loved ones overseas or plan a much-needed holiday, while also giving travel providers and the wider industry the time to plan ahead and support their travellers.”
Source: Read Full Article