Boris Johnson is set to sign off on the UK's travel 'traffic light' list imminently, according to Trade Minister Liz Truss.
Travel firms and hopeful holidaymakers are awaiting the announcement, which will see destinations classified as 'green', 'amber' and 'red' according to their Covid case rate and vaccination progress. Those rated green will not require any quarantine on return to the UK.
"I don't think it will be much longer before we make those announcements," Liz Truss told Sky News, though the exact date of the announcement is still unknown. Some sources have suggested that the list will be revealed on Friday, after the local elections.
"People are looking to book a holiday but I would encourage people to wait until we make that announcement," Truss added.
Scroll down for more on this, and today's other top travel stories.
04:29 PM
What happened today?
A re-cap of today's top stories:
Spain's Balearic isles 'very optimistic' for summer restart
Airlines praise EU for 'game-changing' approach to travel bans
Portugal: 'We're pushing for Brits to holiday here this summer'
Only 13% of Britons prepared to go abroad this year
NHS app may not be ready for use in international travel
Austria to offer free coronavirus tests to tourists
Join us tomorrow for more travel updates on our live blog.
04:10 PM
The boar war...
After lockdowns emptied the streets, boars have taken over the Israeli city of Haifa, raiding food bins and breeding furiously.
Some residents are charmed by their new neighbours, while others regard them as a menace - NYTNS / Redux / eyevine
Forget Cornwall, Oban is Scotland's answer to the perfect seaside getaway
Richard Franks writes:
"Yes, Oban may not be blessed with stretches of white sandy beaches like its Hebridean neighbours or those on England’s South West coast, but what it lacks in bathing spots it more than makes up for in adventure. With its very own mini rainforest to explore, epic coastline trails to hug and kayaking, fishing and wildlife-spotting trips to immerse yourself in, it’s Scotland’s hidden seaside gem."
Austria to offer free coronavirus tests to tourists
Coronavirus tests in Austria will be made free for foreigners in order to boost tourism, the Austrian Tourism Minister has announced, saying that the perk would soon be seen by travellers as essential as free WiFi.
Elisabeth Köstinger told Austria’s Kleine Zeitung newspaper that the boost Austria would receive from increased tourism would offset the costs of the tests.
“In the past, guests wanted to know whether there was free WiFi or a free parking space,” she said. Now, the offering of free coronavirus tests “is decisive for the booking”.
Austria has invested heavily in coronavirus testing and already offers free tests for Austrian citizens and residents.
Tourism in Austria is expected to pick up speed from May 19 when the quarantine requirement is reduced for most arrivals.
People walk towards the Covid-19 vaccine and test centre at Austria Center, which has been set up as a coronavirus disease mass vaccination centre, in Vienna, Austria - LISI NIESNER / REUTERS
03:12 PM
Jet2 announces new Funchal city breaks
Jet2 has launched city break packages to Funchal, with availability from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh and Glasgow later this year.
The holidays will put the Madeira capital within easy reach from November 1, with departures currently on sale for winter 2021/22 and summer 2022.
Switzerland: 'Not enough drama' for Robert De Niro
We wouldn't usually post glossy videos by travel marketing boards, but the new release from the Switzerland tourism authority is something quite special indeed.
It stars Robert De Niro* and Roger Federer, and a lot of spectacular Swiss scenery...
*Readers of a pure disposition may want to watch on mute, as De Niro drops an expletive.
02:38 PM
Will France reopen for summer holidays – and what are its green list chances?
Pictured last month, one Paris restaurant replaced its diners with giant teddybears - Getty
British and foreign tourists with a “health pass” – either offering proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test – will be able to visit France again starting from June 9 under an ambitious lockdown exit roadmap.
France gradually started lifting lockdown on Monday May 3, with restaurant terraces due to reopen in mid-May and a return to near-normal by June 30, according to French media.
On Wednesday, prime minister Jean Castex said that hospitalisations were going down and that by June, France would no longer be in a "health emergency".
The move opens the door to France’s addition to the UK’s ‘green’ list when international travel resumes for Britons from May 17; however, the nation’s average rate of new infections remains one of the highest in Europe.
A man has pleaded guilty to possession of a counterfeit 'fit to fly' certificate, with which he attempted to board a plane from Heathrow to Egypt last month.
Emmanuel Nere Mehari, 27, was stopped and questioned at the airport on April 12, and the forged document was discovered.
Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard that Mehari's test certificate stood out because it was in a format that the desk assistant had "not seen before".
"Emmanuel was unable to answer her questions and started to become argumentative," the prosecutor said. "[He] was unable to prove where the test certificate had come from and... didn't have an email."
The court heard that Mehari had been travelling to Egypt to care for his cousin, who was ill, but was "not aware at all" that a certificate of a negative test would be required.
"He began to panic," the defence said. "In that moment of desperation...he just made a foolish decision to go along with someone who was attempting to help him."
02:03 PM
NHS app may not be ready for use in international travel
Downing Street has admitted the NHS app may not be ready to be used as a vaccine passport when international travel resumes and "another approach" may be needed.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has previously said the app – which is currently used to book medical appointments and order repeat prescriptions – will display evidence that someone has been vaccinated or recently tested.
A sign of the times at Heathrow Arrivals - Getty
But the Prime Minister's official spokesman indicated that officials were working on alternative plans for when international travel resumes.
"Mr Shapps set out the approach we are looking to take," the spokesman said. "Obviously we will be able to confirm ahead of the 17th at the earliest what measures are used for those initial countries that are available for travel, be it the app or another approach."
The spokesman added: "There are other routes to achieving the same end-goal. We are working on the app at the moment, at pace, to have it ready, and we will be able to confirm ahead of the 17th at the earliest what approaches we will be using."
01:52 PM
RwandAir becomes first African airline to vaccinate crew and trial digital travel pass
Rwanda’s national airline has become the first carrier in Africa to vaccinate all of its staff against Covid-19, joining the likes of Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Etihad.
RwandAir began its vaccination programme in March, with all staff and cabin crew receiving their jabs. Staff based at the airline’s hub, Kigali International Airport, have also been vaccinated as well as the staff of other airlines operating at the airport.
The airline has also made headway with digital health certification. In April, RwandAir began a three-week trial for the IATA Travel Pass on its route between Kigali and Nairobi, becoming the first African country to do so. The IATA Travel Pass is a digital platform to help passengers easily and securely verify that they comply with Covid-19 test or vaccine travel requirements, allowing governments to more confidently keep their borders open.
01:32 PM
New hotel opening in Cornwall – with availability for this summer
This month sees the relaunch of one of Cornwall’s loveliest hotels, Hotel Meudon – with its own private beach, swish restaurant, and garden-facing rooms from £219 per night. Better yet, it has availability for this summer.
Only 13% of Britons prepared to go abroad this year
Fewer than one in seven Britons are willing to take an overseas holiday this year and two thirds are swapping any foreign plans for a staycation instead, according to new research.
With travel and other restrictions in place and future plans yet to be finalised, just 13 per cent are happy to go abroad this year, said the survey of more than 2,000 adults for GoCompare Travel Insurance.
It found two thirds are planning a holiday in the UK with 25 per cent looking at B&Bs, 21 per cent at self catering accommodation, 17 per cent hope to stay with friends or famaily and 13 per cent in a caravan or motorhome.
A further 10 per cent are going to go camping, nine per cent in an AirBnB or similar site and seven per cent at a theme park.
Covid, unsurprisingly, is the main reason for staying in this country with 23 per cent saying that was the biggest factor in their decision as many did not want to quarantine or felt there was too much uncertainty over what may happen to other restrictions.
But the pandemic has also hit budgets and 10 per cent are holidaying in the UK because they cannot afford a foreign holiday, said GoCompare.
12:51 PM
What does the latest news on overseas holidays means for your half term break?
It looks as though there is now a good chance that relatively trouble-free holidays to the Med could be back on the agenda for this summer.
But what does this mean for the Whitsun half-term week, when schools are on their half-term break from May 29 to June 6?
What it's like to visit a theme park now lockdown is lifting
Antonia Windsor writes:
"I hate queuing at the best of times, but queuing in a post-Covid environment feels particularly strange. After all, we are still living in a reality whereby I can only mix with one other household in my garden (as a family of five, the rule of six is neither here nor there). And yet there I was, standing in line with perhaps 20 other households in a space that's half the size of my back garden. It doesn't make sense?"
Tornado Springs is the latest addition to Paultons Park in Hampshire, with new rides and experiences in a Western theme
Read the full review of Antonia's family day out at Paulton's Park, here.
12:06 PM
Holiday hopes rise as warnings against Corfu, Crete and Portugal are lifted
Portugal and some Greek and Spanish islands have been declared safe for travel by the Foreign Office, raising hopes that they could be on the Government’s “green” list.
The Foreign Office has quietly dropped its advice against non-essential foreign travel to Portugal (excluding the Azores) and the Greek Islands of Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete – some of the most popular destinations for British tourists.
Could Portugal be tipped for the green list? - Getty
It has also declared that the Canary Islands and Israel, one of the most highly vaccinated nations in the world, are safe, stating that it “no longer advises against all but essential travel” to the two destinations.
The Foreign Office advice against non-essential travel to mainland Greece and Spain remains in force, mirroring the Government's policy last year which allowed holidaymakers to jet to islands even if the mainland remained on the red list because of their higher Covid rates.
What Covid vaccine passports mean for your summer holiday – and how to get one
Foreign holidays are set to resume this month, with the NHS app likely to be used as a holiday vaccine passport this summer. So how can you get one, and which countries will be accepting them?
You can blame tourism authority Visit Herefordshire for this infuriating portmanteau, as it launches a new driving route based on its ley lines – a 100-mile circuit it has dubbed a 'leycation'. Also known as... a road trip.
But don't be put off by the buzzword. The Watkins Way actually sounds glorious, encompassing the churches, standing stones and hillforts that join the county's ley lines established one hundred years ago.
A summer's day in Herefordshire - Getty
On 30 June 1921, on a Herefordshire hillside, local antiquarian and photographer Alfred Watkins had a revelation about the straight tracks that criss-crossed his home county’s landscape which saw the birth of the ‘ley line’.
And now, with the launch of the county's new 100-mile driving map, you can follow them for yourself on a summer leycation road trip.
11:16 AM
New Zealand announces new travel rules from May 17
The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean, a four-hour flight from New Zealand - Getty
New Zealanders will be able to visit the Cook Islands from May 17, as the two nations enter a new quarantine-free travel bubble.
The rules will be lifted both ways, with the islands' tourism ministers hoping that the same agreement will be extended to Australia in coming months.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the travel bubble plans: "The Cook Islands are in a stronger position to prevent, detect and manage any potential COVID-19 outbreak, which means a two-way travel bubble can now proceed," she said.
"A green travel zone between the Cooks and New Zealand will allow families to reconnect, commercial arrangements to resume, and tourism in the Cooks to kick off once again. This will all provide a boost to the Cook Island's economy and help in the country's recovery from the impacts of COVID-19."
10:51 AM
How Europe's vaccine roll out is finally catching up with the UK
After a painfully slow start, beset by supply shortages and a lack of flexibility, Europe is finally beginning to catch up with the UK in its vaccine roll out.
As the EU-negotiated vaccine deals finally come through, most member states have seen an increase in uptake. Some are doing better than others, however, while some countries have resorted to outside help.
Europe’s biggest countries, and most popular tourist destinations, have all succeeded in accelerating their vaccine roll outs this month.
Germany, one of the countries most frustrated by Brussels’ botched vaccine procurement, is now vaccinating at a rate that could see it overtake the UK.
How will the new 'traffic light' system kickstart holidays again?
A 'traffic light' system, based on risk, will replace the ban on non-essential trips when travel resumes. But how will it work, and which countries might get the green light?
Summer holidays pose ‘no risk’ to UK’s infection levels
Professor Ferguson said the UK is in a "good position to stick to the Government’s roadmap", which aims to restart international travel on May 17 - Getty
Foreign summer holidays will pose 'no risk' to the UK's own infection rate, provided that the destination's case rate is not higher than our own, a leading epidemiologist and Government advisor has said.
"[If] by the summer, infection levels in France and Italy are the same sort of levels that they are here, then there is no risk associated with travelling overseas," Professor Neil Ferguson told Radio Four's Today programme.
"The risk comes from going from a place like the UK, with very low infection levels, to a place with much higher infection levels – and therefore having the risk of bringing infection back."
Referencing the UK's advanced inoculation programme, Professor Ferguson said the country is in a "good position to stick to the Government’s roadmap", which aims to restart international travel on May 17.
The Government is to release its 'traffic light' list this week, with travel industry leaders expecting Spain, Greece and France to be given the green light for restriction-free travel by June. The EU, too, plans to approve vaccinated visitors in time for summer getaways.
However on Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of an immediate mass getaway, saying that putting a significant number of countries on the "green list" from May 17 would risk an "influx of disease".
10:05 AM
MSC Cruises unveils crew vaccination plan
MSC Cruises has begun a fleet-wide vaccination programme, which aims to inoculate all of its crew – prioritising those working in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and northern Europe.
The crew on board its flagship MSC Virtuose will be vaccinated ahead of its maiden voyage around the UK from Southampton, which departs on May 20.
The company said: “The plan is for all MSC Cruises’ crew on board operational vessels, as well as ships preparing to restart in parts of the world the company has served traditionally, to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
“It has been developed and will be delivered against with the support of a number of national government authorities, destinations and private sector entities.”
However, the company has not revealed where it will source the vaccine doses from, nor the timeframe it anticipates.
09:45 AM
Portugal: 'We're pushing for Brits to holiday here this summer'
Portugal's secretary of state for tourism, Rita Marques, said the country is "taking the lead" at the European Council in negotiations aimed at opening up the European Union to UK holidaymakers.
"We are really pushing hard to open up to third countries like the UK," she said.
"I'm not going to tell you how important is the British market to Portugal. I just want to tell you that the British market is really important to all Europe, and in that sense we are ready to welcome you when you are ready to come."
"At our end, we are working to have an agile process, as simple as possible, in order to provide a seamless experience to everyone that would like to travel to Portugal."
09:22 AM
Corfu is 'buzzing' as restrictions ease
Corfu's capital is 'buzzing' with activity after relaxing its lockdown restrictions, according to a tweet by Chris Wright, Managing Director of Sunvil Travel:
Great to see bars and tavernas opening up yesterday. Corfu town was buzzing. Greece has been in lockdown since November keeping cases low, not only to protect its citizens but knowing it needs to be ready for the tourist season. pic.twitter.com/weuIARpxjn
Corfu Town is popular with British holidaymakers, and the island has said it hopes to welcome the return of tourism this month.
09:10 AM
Airlines praise EU for 'game-changing' approach to travel bans
The EU's plans to welcome vaccinated tourists in time for summer have been welcomed by Airlines UK, which represents UK-registered carriers.
Chief executive Tim Alderslade commented: “This is an extremely important announcement that will pave the way for the reopening of the EU’s tourism and travel industry in time for the peak summer season.
“The EU should be congratulated for recognising that the success of the vaccine rollout – coupled with sensible vigilance around variants – is a game-changer that can and should enable a risk-based and proportionate system of international travel to resume.”
However, he added: “It is frustrating that the UK has not gone down the same road, with ministers here still reluctant to acknowledge that we can be more ambitious with our own plans, taking advantage of one of the most impressive vaccination programmes in the world, alongside quicker, cheaper testing and our globally renowned genomic sequencing capability.
“It’s about getting the risk balance right and we don’t believe the UK has done that yet.”
08:50 AM
Travel traffic lights: What does the data say?
The UK Government is set to publish its 'traffic light list' this week, with Iceland, Malta, Israel and Gibraltar expected to be among the very few 'green light' destinations. So how are their vaccination and case rates looking – and which other countries might make the cut?
These are the latest figures:
08:36 AM
Amazing UK hotels that will make you feel as though you've travelled far away
It’s hard to believe you’re in Kent, not Kenya, at Port Lympne - Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve
Portmeirion or Portofino? - iSTock
08:17 AM
Boris Johnson: Lifting travel rules must be 'cautious'
On Monday, the Prime Minister played down hopes of an immediate mass getaway, saying that putting a significant number of countries on the "green list" from May 17 would risk an "influx of disease":
Johnson was immediately accused of an "overly cautious" approach by Tory MPs and travel industry chiefs after the European Commission proposed that fully vaccinated Britons could travel freely to Europe without any testing or quarantine requirements from as early as the start of June.
08:07 AM
Spain's Balearic isles 'very optimistic' for summer restart
Playa de Palma, in Mallorca, was free of its usual Easter crowds this year - Getty
British tourists could be welcomed back to the Balearic Islands as soon as this month, according to a senior Spanish official.
Rosa Ana Morilla Rodriguez, director general of tourism for the islands, said she was "very optimistic" that a deal could be agreed to open Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera to British holidaymakers.
She said she was hopeful that they could be included on the UK's "green list" of countries, which is due to come into force from May 17. Britons returning from these countries would not have to quarantine when they get home.
"We have the right numbers, we have the right measures in place that will allow us to be considered 'green'," said Ms Morilla Rodriguez.
07:56 AM
Hope for summer holidays to Spain, Greece and France
British holidaymakers are expected to be freed to travel to Europe's top holiday destinations next month, after the EU opens the door to vaccinated travellers from the start of June.
Spain, Greece and France are among countries that could be added to the safe "green list" by the end of June under the traffic light system being drawn up by Downing Street for international travel, The Telegraph can disclose.
However, when the first iteration of the list is published this week, it is expected to comprise of only a "tiny handful" of fewer than 10 highly vaccinated countries, such as Gibraltar, Malta, Israel and Iceland, which Britons will be able to visit from May 17 without having to quarantine on their return. Most of the rest of Europe will be on an "amber list", requiring quarantine.
However, a government source said the three-weekly review of the "green list" would mean more countries, potentially including some of the most popular European holiday destinations, would be added to the list through June.
Israel’s strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers – but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war.
Many Malaysians have questioned the leniency shown to former PM Najib Razak after having his sentenced reduced. Here is A.Kathirasen's take on the matter.
The conventional wisdom is wrong. We need rational, controlled escalation from the Western powers in the face of Iranian aggression, not more of the sickening appeasement, delusion and cowardice of the past few days. The regime needs to be punished for its monstrous war-mongering, not mollified and placated by a bunch of Western ignoramuses who confuse weakness for virtue.
A Maryland high school student was arrested and charged with threat of mass violence after police say they discovered evidence revealing the teen had plans to commit a school shooting, authorities said Thursday.
While Western eyes are fixed on Tehran and Tel Aviv, Ukraine’s frontlines are showing clear signs of crumbling. There is a very real possibility they could crumble this summer if we do not throw the kitchen sink at Russia. Even if we do, it may already be too late for the weapons and munitions long promised by the West to save the day.
Aston Villa booked their place in the Europa League semi-finals in dramatic fashion by winning a drama-filled penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez received his second yellow card but was not sent off.
All but a small handful of Manchester City players and staff had already retired to the dressing room, dazed and doubtless a little confused about what had just unfolded, by the time Bernardo Silva started his slow trudge off the pitch.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have reached new heights as Tehran repeats its warnings that a response to its own missile attack could be lethal for the region
Jürgen Klopp said Liverpool squandered their Europa League chances at Anfield and insisted Mohamed Salah’s wastefulness was not the cause of their exit
