LONDON – The UK Secretary of State for Transport announces green list of 12 countries deemed safe for English travellers. Spain is on the amber list, meaning travellers need to isolate upon return and take three tests if they visit the country.
Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel are among 12 countries added to a green list of travel destinations from 17 May for people in England, the transport secretary has said.
Anyone returning from those countries – deemed safest under a new traffic light system – will not have to quarantine.
Covid tests required before and after travel
Grant Shapps called the step “tentative” as there remained “concern about resurgence of Covid”.
Speaking at a Downing Street briefing, Mr Shapps said the removal of restrictions was “necessarily cautious”. He added, “We must make sure the countries we reconnect with are safe.”
England’s green list from 17th May
Countries on the green, amber and red lists will be reviewed every three weeks from 17 May.
The BBC published the full green list of countries to which people in England can travel to without having to quarantine upon return. The countries are:
- Portugal
- Israel
- Singapore
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Brunei
- Iceland
- Gibraltar
- Falkland Islands
- Faroe Islands
- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
- St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island
The list reflects the UK Prime Minister’s comments earlier this week. When pressed, Boris Johnson said he thought it “important to be cautious in this”.
The devolved countries in the UK – Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – each have their own timetable and travel lists, which will be announced at later dates. England’s travel advice regarding Spain can be found here.
Spain’s borders remain closed to UK until June
Spain is not opening to its borders to non-Schengen countries until June at the earliest. It is possible, if the incidence rate drops and vaccination rate rises in Spain, that when the UK reviews the green list in three weeks’ time, borders in both directions will be ready to welcome visitors.