Government confirms introduction of ‘Covid travel list' of countries with details expected this week

The government has confirmed the relaxation of quarantine restrictions to a "Covid travel list" of countries considered "low-risk", but given few details, saying a list of destinations would be published this week.

On Friday evening Downing Street insisted the relaxation of 14-day self-isolation requirements was "based on robust public health criteria" and said: "We will continue to keep these [quarantine] measures in place for international arrivals from countries not yet deemed safe."

Countries will be classified as green, amber or red depending on the risk assessment and arrivals from those in the green and amber categories will be exempt from quarantine.

However, the government will still require "all passengers entering the UK to supply contact information".

In a statement, Downing Street said: "This policy is a crucial part of our plan to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections in the UK and will continue to be so."

It confirmed the ‘Covid travel list' "will make it easier for people to travel to those countries by removing the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days on their return".

But it warned: "We will not hesitate to put on the brakes if any risks re-emerge in the UK or within those countries."

The government said: "The full list of low-risk countries in the green and amber categories will be published next week and it is expected travel will be able to resume with countries on our Covid travel list the following week."

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