A NEW traffic light system which will help holidays abroad restart is to be discussed today by MPs.
New research has found that 12 countries could make the "green list" this summer which removes the requirement to quarantine.
Holidays abroad are not able to go ahead yet, with the government's Global Travel Taskforce to announce on April 5 when this might be.
It is hoped that trips abroad may be able to resume as soon as May 17, although some experts have warned this is too early.
The new system being discussed would use a three-colour guide to mandate what restrictions travellers would face depending on the risk if travel resumes from June.
Countries on the "green" list would be able to travel without restrictions such as Covid tests or quarantining, and only require a lateral flow test when returning to the UK.
"Amber" countries may require some restrictions such as negative Covid tests and a short three-day quarantine while "red" countries are likely to face the harshest measures including 10-day quarantines.
Full list of countries which could be on the green list
- Portugal
- Malta
- Gibraltar
- Morocco
- United States
- Canada
- Barbados
- Grenada
- Mexico
- Sri Lanka
- UAE
- Israel
According to research by The PC Agency, countries which could be put on the lowest risk list include Malta and Portugal, both of which have kept cases low while Malta is the leading EU destination for the vaccine behind the UK.
Israel could also make the list, with 60 per cent of the population having their first jab, while the US could even make the green list with plans to have the adult population given the first jab by mid-May.
Canada, Barbados, Mexico, Gibraltar, Sri Lanka, Morocco, the UAE and Grenada could also all find themselves on the green list, according to a study by The PC Agency.
The data, based on "the current trajectory of country vaccination [and] infection rates," hopes more countries on the "amber" list could go into the green list in upcoming weeks.
This includes Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.
Countries such as France, Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands all remain in the red are which could mean travel restrictions remain in place until cases drop and the vaccine rollout progresses.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has urged Boris Johnson to push back the date for holidays to restart due to the Covid situation abroad.
However, Matt Hancock has said foreign holidays are "still on the cards" this summer.
New rules introduced this week enforce a £5,000 fine on anyone leaving the country to go on holiday.
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