Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca will be added to Scotland's amber travel list

The changes come into effect at 4am Monday 19 July and will also see Croatia and Bulgaria added to the green list.

Author: Greg OckrimPublished 14th Jul 2021
Last updated 14th Jul 2021

The Balearic Islands - like Ibiza and Majorca - are being removed from the green travel list. The Scottish and UK Governments are moving them back to amber after just a fortnight.

The changes come into effect at 4am Monday 19 July and will also see Croatia and Bulgaria added to the green list. Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone are going onto the red one.

From Monday the requirement to quarantine when you return from destinations in that category is being scrapped for the fully vaccinated. Travellers will also need proof of a negative PCR tests.

Scotland's Minister for Environment, Biodiversity and Land Reform Mairi McAllan said: "From the outset we have said caution is required regarding international travel and people should think very carefully about travelling abroad as situations can suddenly change.

"When we added the Balearic Islands to the green list we said we would be closely monitoring the data, and the increase in cases we have seen means we now have to take it off the green list."

Westminster Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said measures for the Balearics were being upgraded due to case rates having doubled since they were added to the green list on June 30.

He added: "Surely no one can be out there thinking we can travel and just rely on things not changing.

"When we see things change for the safety and security of everyone back home we do need to react and act, and that's what we're doing today."

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, said: "Today's announcement reinforces the belief that the current Government framework for international travel is not working as it was designed to.

"While the vaccination programme is permitting a full reopening of the domestic economy, international travel between safe countries - with low infections and high vaccination rates - is still being portrayed as though it is a serious danger to public health.

"Moving countries between the tiers like this is shattering consumer trust during an already unpredictable booking season. It is time the Government implemented a consistent and transparent travel policy, rather than the current rollercoaster ride of changes, which is condemning international travel to the status of second-class citizen."

The Balearic Islands and the British Virgin Islands have been moved to the amber list.

Bulgaria, Croatia, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been added to the green list and Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone have been moved to the red list.

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