Portugal, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands were green listed.
But holiday hotspots, Spain, France, Italy and America didn’t make the cut, which means British tourists will have to quarantine at home for 10 days when they get back to the UK.
"The decision to put so few European countries into the ‘Green’ tier is simply not justified by the data or the science and is inconsistent with the approach to reopen the domestic economy,” EasyJet boss Johan Lundgren told Sky News.
Airlines UK Chief Executive, Tim Alderslade, called for major additions to the ‘Green’ list when it’s reviewed in three weeks' time and warned that “the UK is at risk of falling behind by not opening up international travel to key markets".
"Tourists are sat gazing at the amber light, revving their engines, desperate to travel safe in the knowledge that their jabs will protect them," said Brian Strutton, General Secretary of the Pilot’s Union, Balpa. "The government must flick those amber lights to green as soon as it possibly can."
Scotland, Wales and Northern Island have yet to confirm their International travel rules.
13 comments
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@Colin Thompson. Why did you book a flight ? Until June only residents are allowed to enter here, its been thar way for a long time now...
@Colin Thompson. You must have a valid necessary reason for travel, there's a list that you can refer to. Just owning property here does not necessitate travel, and an NIE is not a residence permit. (You can find this info without buying a ticket).
It’s not rocket science working out why India is riddled with covid
With the appalling vaccination rate in Mallorca, how could they possibly be surprised they didn’t make the green list? Lots of political rhetoric, very little action. And they ran out of vaccines on Friday!!! You have to admire the Portuguese. They were red list. They went quiet, sourced vaccines and got their population vaccinated. Clever.
So sorry to hear about your experience, Colin. Particularly as German travellers (not tourists, owners) are taking off in Cologne etc and landing in Palma almost as we speak. With much higher incidence and lower rate/uptake of vaccination. Whatever one's stand on international travel, there is little point in vying for tourism from the UK and at the same time making people's life a misery when they arrive at the airport in Palma.
Why doesn’t the Spanish Government lift the current ban immediately on UK visitors and let those travelling with tests and vaccination from 17 May choose whether to travel and isolate upon their return which would gain an extra 2 weeks of revenue?
I have been visiting Majorca for 40 years and will continue to visit. I will not be visiting anywhere overseas until everything is hopefully back to how it was. Money appears to be the driving force to open up travel and though I sympathise with people reliant on tourism peoples health is more important. I do not want to travel wearing a facemask or be served food in my hotel or take a lateral flow test before returning home. I want a carefree holiday.
Colin, are you a resident in Spain? Do you mean TIE because a NIE is just a number?
Of course they slam the decision as they care only about their profits and not general public health ! Hope the same airlines will be ready to repatriate on their own cost the millions of tourists they dump everywhere when restrictions tighten heavily 2-3 months from now due to fourth wave of covid which is inevitable . See India , Japan , Nepal etc etc .
These people only care about themselves, they don't live in Spain, and couldn't care less if our contagion rates skyrocket as a result. The UK has made an excellent ruling, they just need to find a way to control the required confinement law for those irresponsible ones that may come here.