Spain is poised to go Amber-plus: Holiday hotspot could replace France on travel quarantine list - as Britain prepares to throw open its doors to US and EU visitors without need for quarantining from next week
Spain could replace France on the travel quarantine list next week amid growing concern about cases of the South African variant in the country, as England prepares to welcome tourists from the EU and the US from next week.
Whitehall sources are increasingly confident that France will be removed from the 'amber plus' list, which requires people to self-isolate for ten days on return even if fully vaccinated.
Germany and Austria also look set to move to the travel green list next week, when ministers decide the latest allocations.
But sources played down reports that Italy and Canada would be moved to the safest category.
And one source warned Spain could be placed on the 'amber plus' list, potentially leaving hundreds of thousands of British tourists having to quarantine unexpectedly when they return.
It comes amid reports that fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and the US could be allowed into England without having to quarantine from next week.
Ministers are expected to approve the plans on Wednesday after Boris Johnson became concerned concerned the EU was further ahead in welcoming international travellers than the UK, according to The Times.
Reprieve? Travel to France might soon be easier... but holidaymakers in Spain may have to quarantine even if double-jabbed
Whitehall sources are increasingly confident that France will be removed from the 'amber plus' list, which requires people to self-isolate for ten days on return even if fully vaccinated. Pictured, Mahon, the capital city of Menorca in Spain
The UK economy is losing as munch as £639million every day because of the current limits in place on incoming tourists, economists have estimated.
After the EU and US travellers are welcomes, other countries could be added to the quarantine-free travel list at a later date.
Since July 19, double jabbed Britons have been able to travel to and from amber list countries without quarantining upon their return, but the same right was not extended to those fully vaccinated abroad.
The plans would initially only apply to England but will likely be followed by the other UK nations.
Under the proposals, airlines will be expected to approve passengers' vaccine statuses before check-in for England-bound flights, to prevent huge queues at passport control.
A trial was carried out by Heathrow, BA and Virgin which found they could overcome 99 per cent of the difficulties in verifying the vaccination status of travellers from the US.
Different states have different paper and digital certificates, but airports and airlines are hoping for the new rules to be smoothly adopted.
Ministers will also approve plans to allow all double vaccinated expats to travel to the UK from amber list countries without the need to quarantine.
Only Britons vaccinated by the NHS are currently exempt from quarantine.
Travellers who transit through certain red country hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi could also avoid hotel quarantine if they remain airside during their connections, according to The Telegraph.
The move to change Spain's designation follows concern about the Beta variant, which emerged in South Africa and is thought to be more resistant to the AstraZeneca vaccine given to millions in the UK.
A Whitehall source said: 'The situation in Spain is beginning to feel a lot like the build-up to the decision on France.
'The Department of Health are getting very jumpy about the number of Beta cases in parts of the country. We're not talking about the main tourist hotspots, but that might not make any difference – it didn't with France.'
The shock move to place France in its own category earlier this month wrecked thousands of families' holidays. Pictured, a covid testing site by the Eiffel Tower in France
The shock move to place France in its own category earlier this month wrecked thousands of families' holidays as well as the plans of many expats hoping to see loved ones for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Cases of the Delta variant have fallen sharply in France in recent weeks and ministers are confident it will be restored to the same status as other amber list countries, meaning fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to quarantine when they return.
One source said: 'France is going to happen. It should never have been left out in the first place – the Department of Health just panicked. But there could be no justification for keeping restrictions in place now.'
Any move to put Spain on the 'amber plus' list is likely to provoke a fierce row within Government. Although there is concern about the Beta variant, many experts believe it is being 'crowded out' by the more virulent Delta variant now spreading rapidly across Spain.
Spain has seen a recent uptick in infections that could force the government to add it to the travel quarantine list
No curbs for US visitors – but America won't let us in
By Daniel Martin Policy Editor
Ministers are set to rubber-stamp proposals to allow more double-jabbed tourists into the UK – amid growing frustration at the US for refusing to do the same.
Senior Cabinet members will meet today to discuss the reciprocal deal with the EU to allow residents into Britain without quarantine.
They also plan to allow US citizens in quarantine-free, even though there is no sign the US intends to do the same for us.
Officials hope it will be seen as a goodwill gesture that will encourage the country to respond in kind. Yesterday, policing minister Kit Malthouse told Sky News it was 'disappointing' that the US still had no plans to loosen travel restrictions across the Atlantic because of the Delta variant.