Holidays: Spain could make it to the UK ‘green list’ alongside Malta & Caribbean

Holidays: Travel expert discusses proposed ‘traffic light system’

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Covid-weary Britons may be itching for a change of scenery and some sunshine after months spent in lockdown. Though no official confirmation has been given from the Government, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he has “not given up” on the May 17 date set out in his roadmap out of lockdown.

At this point, the Government has plans to put in place a “traffic light” system, ranking nations as “green”, “amber” or “red” based on their coronavirus figures and vaccination roll-out.

Ahead of this, head of The Points Guy UK Nicky Kelvin has shared his insight into nations that could make the cut based on their current statistics.

It turns out, there are some holiday favourites on the list.

“While we might not yet know which countries will appear at each traffic light level, we can use some past evidence to predict which destinations might be the safest bet,” explained Mr Kelvin.

“Looking at the UK’s current travel ban list, it looks likely that much of Southern Africa will remain on the ‘red list’ but nations like Egypt and Morocco could appear on the potential green list.

“It is also likely that we will see a number of Central American and Caribbean countries on the green list, including Barbados, Mexico and Grenada, given low infection rates and good vaccination programmes in the region.

“Other potential green list countries could include Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Spain and Malta.

“While the government still advises against booking summer holidays abroad just yet, these are just our guesses for which countries may appear on the lowest-risk green list.

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“Ultimately, it still remains to be seen exactly which destinations could be considered green.”

However, the expert also predicts some typically popular holiday hotspots could remain in the red.

“It’s widely believed some summer holiday hotspots such as Greece, France, Italy and Turkey could be given amber — or even red — status as variants of concern continue to alarm,” Mr Kelvin predicted.

Despite this, there could still be ways Britons can jet off to these nations, though there will be a price to pay.

“Some of those destinations have made clear that they plan to let Britons in this summer,” continued Mr Kelvin.

“Greece, for example, has said that tourists will be able to enter from 14 May.

“With an amber distinction from the UK government, that would mean travellers would have to think about and plan for a quarantine on return home.

“This is a developing situation and one that will likely change often.

“There’s one thing for certain: Travel this summer will carry with it another level of risk.

“If, for example, where you’re holidaying suddenly changes from amber to red, you’ll have to worry not only about quarantining for 10 days, but paying at least £1,750 in order to do so in a government-approved hotel.”

At the time of writing, holidays remain off the cards for Britons, with leisure travel illegal under current Government restrictions.

Britons who can not provide an “essential” purpose for travelling may face fines of up to £5,000.

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