SUNSEEKERS looking for a European break this month can head to Gibraltar or Malta, Trending In The News can reveal.
The two tiny Mediterranean sunspots are set to be included on the green list for quarantine-free travel after 17 May – due to be announced this Friday.
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A handful of countries will be given coveted green status in a new travel traffic light system based on jab roll out and Covid rates – meaning Brits can visit with just two tests on their return.
Portugal may also get the nod, but holiday favourites Spain and Greece will have to likely wait until a review in June, sources say.
They are likely to be on the “amber list” meaning people can visit but they will have to quarantine for ten days when they return to the UK.
But insiders think most top destinations including France will be given the green travel go ahead by the school summer holidays in July.
Medics led by top doc Jonathan Van Tam will present country data to ministers today as they meet to approve the first tranche of green and amber countries.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is due to unveil the full list on Friday – with travel industry bosses braced for a flurry of bookings this weekend.
The Rock has jabbed its entire adult population and the little British oversees territory on the Southern tip of Spain has lifted most restrictions and returned to normality.
Last night Gibraltar’s Chief Minister delighted in the news – telling Brits: “Gibraltar is THE safest place in Europe. 100 per cent Covid free.”
Rock boss Fabian Picardo told Trending In The News: “Thanks to Great Britain, all adults are already vaccinated. We will NOT require UK residents to have a test to enter Gibraltar.
“Gibraltar is your great, British, staycation in the Mediterranean. Come enjoy the last British part of the European continent.”
Masks are only worn inside shops on the Rock and social distancing has been lifted.
BORDERS REMAIN SHUT
Meanwhile half-a-million-strong Malta is the leading the way amongst EU countries for vaccines.
The Commonwealth island nestled between Italy and Tunisia has given 34 per cent of its population two doses and suffers just a handful of new Covid cases each day.
Meanwhile the Foreign Office has begun downgrading strict travel for other European countries, giving hope they too will soon be given the green light for travel.
Government no longer advises against travel to the Spanish Canary Islands, and the Greek Islands of Rhodes, Kos, Zante, Corfu and Crete.
However Britain’s borders remain shut for another 11 days and Whitehall insiders said the popular holiday islands were unlikely to make the green list just yet.
One said: “The changes are not necessarily an indication of what will be on the green list this week – but it is a recognition that Covid cases are lower in those areas.
“But they will certainly go amber, and if current trajectories continue, they will go green in time for the summer rush.”
Trending In The News yesterday revealed Portugal is also on the “cusp” of making the list.
Green countries will have to have similar Covid rates as Britain – currently around 25 per 100,000 – no new variants and testing sequencing to spot vaccine busting strains.
They will also need to have vaccinated around 40 per cent of their population.
While Portugal meets the first three criteria, it has only vaccinated around 20 per cent of its people.
Yesterday senior cabinet minister Liz Truss urged Brits to hold off booking trips until the end of the week.
She said: “We won’t have much longer to wait to get the full announcement from the transport secretary.
“I would suggest that people wait for that announcement. Of course we’re doing all we can to make sure that we follow our road map, that we open up the economy and travel gradually.”
