Government announces post-Covid travel 'traffic light' system

The Government have announced a new 'Traffic Light' scheme to indicate safe travel corridors.

The move comes after ministers confirmed on Friday 26 June that people returning from certain countries will no longer be required to self isolate for 14 days once they return to the UK.

A list of confirmed travel corridors to up 50 countries will be published shortly, with Italy, the Netherlands, Finland, Turkey, Germany, Belgium and Norway expected to feature, although reports suggest Portugal and Sweden will not be on the list.

The Foreign Office is still warning against “all but essential international travel”, however it is hoped the establishment of air bridges will lead to the advice being eased, with reports suggesting Brits will be able to travel from 6 July.

It is understood existing rules will be replaced with a traffic light system, which will see countries awarded green, amber or red status, based on the prevalence of coronavirus in each, Sky News reports.

The change will mean only passengers arriving back from red category destinations, where the spread of coronavirus is deemed to be high, will have to self-isolate for a fortnight.

However it is suggested that travellers will still have to reveal the address where they plan to stay on their return, regardless of which country they are coming back from.

The government said the changes would provide a "vital lifeline for UK travel operators and those whose jobs rely on the travel industry".

"Our public health measures at the border were put in place to manage the risk of imported cases and help prevent a second wave of the virus, and will continue to support our fight against coronavirus," a government spokesperson told Sky News.

"Our new risk-assessment system will enable us to carefully open a number of safe travel routes around the world - giving people the opportunity for a summer holiday abroad and boosting the UK economy through tourism and business.

"But we will not hesitate to put on the brakes if any risks re-emerge, and this system will enable us to take swift action to reintroduce self-isolation measures if new outbreaks occur overseas."

In a statement Abta said: "It is encouraging the government has concluded its first review of its public health measures at the border, and that passengers arriving from certain destinations will not be required to quarantine.

“Confirmation of the list of countries is eagerly anticipated by the travel industry, and should encourage customers to book. The blanket Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel is still a major impediment to travel, however, and we look forward to the government adopting a similar risk-based approach to that advice."