Holidays to 'green list' countries could still be banned by Foreign Office

Brits could still struggle with holiday plans in ‘green list’ destinations if the Foreign Office advises against travel to the country, it has been revealed.

Boris Johnson is expected to lift the current ban on international travel from England on May 17, depending on the nation’s continuing vaccine rollout and low infection rates.

The Government is believed to be finalising its ‘traffic light’ system for the date, which will allow Brits to decide on where to travel based on what measures and restrictions they will have to follow.

Under the scheme, travellers returning from red list countries will be required to quarantine at a hotel, while amber destinations will see people self-isolate at home for 10 days.

Green locations should be restriction free for returning travellers, although they will still be expected to comply with the rules of their destination country, such as taking a Covid test before boarding a flight.

Experts have now warned that the Foreign Office may advise against travel to certain countries even if movement is permitted through the Government’s traffic light system, The Times reports.

International travel should be allowed from May 17, according to Boris Johnson’s roadmap

Many Brits are planning to travel abroad this summer


Advice from the Foreign Office is based on factors such as the risk of tourists getting trapped due to Covid restrictions, or the quality of the location’s health services.

Their advice could also impact whether airlines and travel companies choose to operate with a country, meaning some places on the green list may not be easily accessible from the UK.

Airlines UK boss Tim Alderslade told The Times: ‘Green and amber countries should not be caught up in additional travel advisories.

‘We need to see alignment between the Foreign Office advice and traffic light system to provide ­clarity and transparency to consumers and operators.’

A Foreign Office source said: ‘Travel advice is an independent assessment of the risk [to] Brits travelling abroad. It’s independent, trusted advice and will remain so.’

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