The UK government has
announced further changes to the traffic light system as part of its regular
review of countries from which travellers must self-isolate or enter
government-approved quarantine when they enter England.
Bulgaria and Hong
Kong will move to the green list from 4am on Monday 19 July while Croatia and Taiwan
will move to the green watchlist, meaning that the government believes the two
destinations will move from the amber list to the green list.
The Balearic islands
– Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza – as well as the British Virgin Islands will move
from the green to the amber list. Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone will move
from the amber to the red list.
From the same date – which some are calling Freedom Day because the
majority of Covid restrictions will end – arrivals from amber list countries
who have received a full course of vaccinations will be able to enter England
without having to self-isolate.
The changes have been dismissed by the business travel sector as not going far enough.
Clive Wratten, CEO of
the Business Travel Association, said: “The latest review of the traffic light system
is on-time but offers no hope to any UK travellers.
“The majority of additions to the
green list will not accept entrants from the UK. This lack of international
protocols make any changes irrelevant for British business travellers.
“There must be a global approach in
international standards for travel. Until such protocols exist, the travel
sector remains in lockdown and must be supported.
“Next week’s Freedom Day will be
another day in handcuffs for our industry.”