Families can finally book their summer holidays abroad, Grant Shapps indicates

FAMILIES can finally book their summer holidays abroad, Grant Shapps declared last night.

The Transport Secretary said that he was “not advising against” planning a getaway.

It came as a government expert further boosted holiday hopes by pointing out that the number of variants of concern are not rising across Europe, although cases are.

Latest data shows that potentially vaccine-busting strains are responsible for less than five per cent of infections on the continent.

Mr Shapps did warn Brits that they would have to wait until next month to find out which countries they can visit without needing to quarantine on their return.

He also said he would “not spare” money-grabbing firms which are charging £200 for a Covid swab.

They have to be done privately to avoid overloading the NHS.

Mr Shapps said profiteers could be axed from the government approved suppliers list.

Some airlines warned that using tests would put people off visiting “green” nations on the government’s traffic light foreign travel system.

EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren said it risked “making flying only for the wealthy”.

Ministers are expected to announce early next month where a country is placed.

Under the plans, arrivals from a “green” country will not need to self-isolate.

Those from an “amber” destination must quarantine for ten days.

Rules for “red” location arrivals will continue, including a paid-for quarantine hotel stay.

“These restrictions will be reviewed on June 28 to take account of “the domestic and international health picture”.

Steve Heapy, of Jet2.com, said there was “continued uncertainty”.

He said: “We still don’t know when we can start to fly, where we can fly to and the availability and cost of testing.”