Plan for ‘amber watch list’ to spark holiday chaos with Brits ‘stranded’ abroad as MPs say ‘you’d be crackers’ to book
PLANS for an ‘amber watch list’ is set to spark holiday chaos and quarantine confusion with Brits “stranded” abroad.
Ministers are said to be embroiled in arguments as plans for countries like Spain and Italy to be moved on to a “red list” were discussed.
The idea, which was agreed in principle this week, would see holidaymakers warned that while they are abroad certain amber countries could go straight on to the red list.
Under the rules, holidaymakers have to quarantine for ten days on their return to Britain — even if they are double jabbed.
And if the country suddenly moves to a red list, travellers would face compulsory hotel quarantine on their return, at a cost of £1,750 a head.
One Whitehall source said: “You would have to be crackers to book a holiday to a place knowing that it could go on to the red list at any moment.
“If you have already booked to go there you are going to spend your whole holiday worrying whether you are going to have to make a dash to the airport to get home.
“The decision next week will basically be in place for August. It is peak holiday season – are we really going to cause that much disruption to this many people?”
Another source told the Mail that the Treasury had warned ministers to “stop messing about with travel.”
Experts warned of more gloom on the horizon for sunseekers with the possibility of tougher rules for Spain where cases are looking “worrying” and “bleak”.
‘AMBER WATCH LIST’
Data expert Tim White said “very high infection rates” mean ministers could create a new “amber watchlist” for countries that could move to red — including Italy and Canada.
Italy has also opted to keep in place rules which force British holidaymakers to quarantine for five days upon their arrival.
Ministers are still trying to persuade the US to open up its borders to us — as double-jabbed visitors from the States are now free to come here.
The Sun understands that the extra category for France is set for the axe within days — if Beta variant cases continue to fall there.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted yesterday that the concerns over the Beta variant were based on cases in mainland France, not the tiny department of Reunion island in the Indian Ocean.
He said it was right to continue with a “cautious” approach.
Mr Shapps added: “The Beta variant, it’s not just — as has been reported — on an island thousands of miles away.
“It was also an issue in particular in northern France, so it has been an overall concern.
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“And, look, the big concern is that we don’t allow a variant in which somehow is able to escape the vaccine programme that we have got.”
In a further blow, Greece signalled it is set to tighten lockdown on its party islands over growing cases.
Extra police have been deployed to Mykonos and Ios amid fears social distancing is not being obeyed.
Government minister Nikos Hardalias said the two popular isles are “one step” away from new curbs.
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He also raised the alarm over Zakynthos, Tinos, Lefkada, Santorini, Paros and Rhodes.
Meanwhile, bars and nightclubs in Portugal will stay closed until October due to its outbreak.
But No 10 is closing in on an EU-wide deal with Brussels to open up hols for double-jabbed Brits.
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