SUMMER holidays abroad are expected to be given the go-ahead later this month, with a new traffic light system announced on May 7.
But will hotspots Tenerife and the other Canary Islands, and Ibiza and Majorca make it onto the government's green list? Here is what we know so far.
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Will the Canary Islands be on the green list for summer holidays?
While still to be confirmed, the UK government is expected to lift the travel ban on May 17 meaning holidays abroad can go ahead.
A handful of countries will be given coveted green status in a new travel traffic light system based on jab roll out and Covid rates – meaning Brits can visit with just two tests on their return and don't need to self-isolate.
The Foreign Office has begun downgrading strict travel bans and the government is no longer advising against travel to the Canary Islands, sparking hope they will soon be given the green light for travel.
But Britain's borders remain shut for at least another 10 days and Whitehall insiders said the popular holiday islands were unlikely to make the green list just yet.
So unfortunately it looks like Spain and the Canary Islands will be on the amber list, meaning people can visit but they will have to quarantine for ten days when they return to the UK.
It makes trips to Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa off the cards.
And Balearic islands Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera will also likely be no-gos.
But it is hoped the whole of Spain could be on the green list by June if Covid cases fall and the vaccine rollout continues.
What are the Canary Islands travel rules?
The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic Islands, based on Covid risks.
But this week it quietly downgraded the warning for the Canary Islands.
This means the islands have essentially been declared safe for travel.
Although it is still illegal to travel anywhere abroad from the UK for holidays.
Are the travel rules different to Spain?
The guidance for mainland Spain and the islands is different, but the law remains the same.
It is still illegal to travel abroad for a holiday from the UK, and rule-breakers face fines of up to ÂŁ5,000.
The Foreign Office is no longer advising against travel to several islands, including the Canary Islands.
But it still advises against all but essential travel to Spain, including the Balearic Islands, based on the current assessment of Covid-19 risks.
Spain has said it wants Brits back from June with vaccine passports or negative Covid tests.
Spanish tourism minister Fernando Valdes Verelst said: “June will be the start of the recovery of tourism in Spain.
“By then, we will have a digital vaccination certificate in place and we will be able to reopen our borders.”
Spain's state of alarm is due to be lifted from May 9.
Current lockdown restrictions differ per region but include night-time curfews and limits on restaurant and bar capacities.
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