HOLIDAYS have been given the green light for May 17 – but Covid rules still remain and Brits jetting off need to know three things.
They have been told to get tested, check the Government’s traffic light list and expect delays at the border.
Read our coronavirus and green list announcement live blog for the latest updates
Travellers to destinations on ministers’ “green list” will have the most hassle-free trips because they don’t have to self-isolate.
But passengers returning from “red list” countries will be ordered to fork out nearly £2,000 for an 11-day stay in a Government-approved hotel.
YOU NEED TO TAKE A TEST AND MAY NEED TO SHOW YOUR VACCINE PASSPORT
Everyone returning from a trip abroad must take a test 72 hours before departure, as well as a gold standard PCR test on day 2 of their arrival.
Amber country arrivals must also immediately go into quarantine for 10 days.
They have to take a PCR test on day two and day eight, with the option to leave quarantine on day five with a negative result.
Travellers returning from red list countries face the harshest measures and must pay £1,750 to stay in a Government listed hotel for 10 days, with no option to end this early.
Some countries have mooted using vaccine passports to allow travellers to enter without taking a test.
The Department of Transport said jabbed Brits would be able to prove their vaccine status on the NHS app.
CHECK THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM
Currently only 12 countries are on the green list. They are Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.
But these will be reviewed every three weeks and holidaymakers are urged to keep an eye on the list to check any changes.
Mr Shapps said: “Green list countries will be placed on a watch list.
“If we start to have any concerns, and if it is necessary because of a new upswing in cases or a new variant, we will not hesitate to act fast and withdraw green status.”
He added: “Our strong advice is not to book any holiday which does not include a refund in the event that the Covid-related situation changes and you’re able to cancel.”
Similarly Brits are being warned against travelling to red list countries, that will include Turkey, to the dismay of Champions League fans.
YOU’LL FACE LONGER DELAYS AT THE BORDER
At today’s Downing Street press conference Brits were warned to expect delays at the border.
The director general of UK Border Force Paul Lincoln said it is currently taking up to 10 minutes to waive each person through security.
He revealed plans were in the pipeline to digitise passenger locator forms to speed up the process, but filling out the current paperwork takes time.
He said: “It currently takes a Border Force officer five to 10 minutes to complete all the necessary checks, which means that even for the most compliant passenger, it might take 14 or 15 times longer to process than before, compared to around 25 seconds.
“Where people do not have the correct paperwork it can and has taken considerably longer, including when we need to serve fixed penalty notices for non-compliance.”
