Here are the countries you can go to without quarantining
The government has revealed which countries are on the green, amber and red lists
Last updated 7th May 2021
The Government has announced which countries are on the green list as part of their new traffic light system for foreign travel.
In a media briefing from Downing Street Transport Minister Grant Shapps made the announcement of where you'll be able to go on holiday without having to quarantine.
Portugal, Gibraltar and Israel are among the countries people in England can visit from May 17 without self-isolating on their return.
Mr Shapps also announced that from May 17, people who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to use the NHS app to demonstrate their status.
People who do not have the app will be able to request an NHS letter from that date.
What is the travel traffic light system?
Quarantine and coronavirus testing requirements for people arriving in England once foreign holidays are permitted from May 17 will be based on a new traffic light system, with destinations placed on green, amber and red lists.
People arriving from a green location will not need to quarantine on their return and will have to take one post-arrival test.
Those returning from an amber list country must self-isolate for at least five days and take two tests.
The red list requires an 11-night stay in a quarantine hotel at a cost of £1,750 for solo travellers.
Which countries are on the green list?
Portugal
Gibraltar
Israel
Australia
New Zealand
Brunei
Iceland
Faroe Islands
Tristan Da Cunha
St Helena
Ascension
Falkland Islands
Singapore
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Despite being on the green list, people will not be able to go on holiday to Australia, New Zealand or Singapore as they are closed to UK tourists.
The amber list
The most popular European destinations with UK holidaymakers – such as Spain, Italy, France and Greece – are on the amber list.
That means people returning from those countries must self-isolate at home for at least five days.
But Mr Shapps said “you should not be travelling to these places right now”.
No plans for the resumption of foreign holidays have been announced by the UK’s devolved administrations.
Travel plans are 'necessarily cautious'
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the removal of international travel restrictions was “necessarily cautious” and that the Government must “make absolutely sure” the countries the UK reconnects with are safe.
He said: “We in this country have managed to construct a fortress against Covid. But the disease is still prevalent in other parts of the world, most notably at the moment in India.
“In fact, more new cases of Covid have been diagnosed around the world in the last seven days than at any time since the pandemic began.”
He added: “That’s why today’s announcement, removing the stay in the UK restrictions from May 17, is necessarily cautious.
“We must make absolutely sure that the countries we reconnect with are safe, that their infection rates are low and their vaccination rates are high.
“It means making sure we are not incubating the most dangerous variants that they’re not and that they have safe and secure surveillance in place.”
Which countries are on the red list?
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced today that Turkey, the Maldives and Nepal have been added to the red list.
Here are the rest of the red list countries on the government's website:
Angola
Argentina
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Botswana
Brazil
Burundi
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ecuador
Eswatini
Ethiopia
French Guiana
Guyana
India
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Rwanda
Seychelles
Somalia
South Africa
Suriname
Tanzania
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Uruguay
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Here are the remaining key dates in the Government's roadmap out of lockdown:
21st June: Nightclubs could reopen
STEP FOUR: From 21st June all remaining restrictions on social distancing could be lifted, and larger events may be allowed to resume. Nightclubs may also be allowed to reopen.
21st June: Bigger weddings
STEP FOUR: Bigger wedding celebrations may be permitted from 21st June.
21st June: Mass events
STEP FOUR: If all restrictions on social distancing are lifted on 21st June, mass events including concerts and festivals will be allowed to resume.