telegraph
Only eight countries would make the green list for safe travel starting May 17, industrial modeling suggests
The US, Gibraltar, Israel and Iceland will be among just eight countries on the government’s “green” list for safe travel from May 17, according to industry models. The analysis, based on the government’s four “risk” criteria for travel, suggests that the only other countries will be Ireland, Malta and Australia and New Zealand – both of which are currently closed for foreign arrivals. The research, conducted by Robert Boyle, former head of strategy at BA and its owner IAG, confirms government indications that only a handful of “green” countries are likely to be approved for holidays without quarantine when ministers intend to lift the non-essential travel ban. abroad on May 17. Significantly, almost all of Europe is either on the amber list, requiring a 10-day home quarantine, or even on the red list, where arrivals have to be quarantined at a cost of £ 1,750 per person. Countries that should be red based on the criteria are France, Turkey, the Netherlands, Croatia, Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg – but are unlikely to be classified as such for political and economic reasons. Research is placing large tourist markets in Spain, Greece, Italy and Cyprus on amber due to Covid’s high rates, but it is said it could still turn green by the June 28 government review. “Last year, the Spanish and Greek islands were given a lower risk rating than the mainland, and this could happen again this year,” the report said, circulating in industry circles.