What is the travel traffic light system and how will it work in the UK?

HOLIDAYS abroad will get the go ahead this summer via a traffic light system, announced today by the Prime Minister.

The three-tiered system would see passengers flying to certain countries exempt from pre-departure tests and a mandatory quarantine when they return.

Read on to find out more about the traffic light system and what it would mean for your holidays

How will countries be ranked red, amber or green?

Travel destinations will be ranked green, amber or red according to a combination of factors, including vaccination rates, Covid variants and number of cases.

The government said the new system "will help ensure the UK's vaccine progress isn't jeopardised and provide clear guidance for travellers".

What will travellers have to do when arriving in UK from green, amber and yellow countries?

The guidelines haven't been released yet, but it is likely to look something like this:

People heading to low-risk "green" countries will take a virus test before they return to UK, followed by two further tests on day 2 and day 8 after they arrive.

Travellers returning from medium risk "amber" countries will have to take a pre-departure test, then self isolate at home for ten days.

They will also have to take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine, but could also take a private test on day 5 in order to leave self-isolation.

But vaccinated travellers who head to amber countries, likely to be holiday destinations like Spain and Greece, may be able to skip quarantine.

Travellers returning from high risk "red" countries will have to take a test before entering the UK and then pay £1,70 to quarantine in a hotel for 11 days.

They will then have to pay for two further Covid tests on day 2 and day 8 of isolation.

Which holiday destination countries are red, amber and green?

The government has urged people not to book summer holidays, saying it is "too early to predict" which would be the green-lighted countries.

But sluggish jab rates and Covid variants have made it unlikely that many Brit-favourite European holiday destinations like Spain and France will be on the green list.

We are aware of the countries currently on the high risk "red' list though – find out more here.

When will we be able to travel abroad again?

Travel was meant to be restored “not before” May 17. But there is growing concern in Whitehall that this is too soon amid a third virus wave globally.

Mr Johnson is also under pressure from devolved leaders to delay reopening Britain’s borders.

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford said May 17 was over-optimistic and did not reflect the risk of re-importing the virus and new variants from other parts of the world.

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