Seven more countries added to green list TODAY as quarantine-free France hols return
THE new travel traffic light changes are in place from today – which is great news for holidaymaking Brits.
Seven more countries are now on the UK’s green list, and families are able to return from France without quarantining if they have been fully vaccinated.
The new rules, which were announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps last week, were enforced from 4am this morning.
Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Norway and Romania are all on the green list from today, joining holiday favourites Malta, Madeira and Croatia.
While there are still some rules in place – Austria and Norway are yet to welcome Brits back yet – it is great news for holidaymakers wanting more choice for their next trip abroad.
Also enforced from today, France is no longer on the controversial amber-plus list, which has now been scrapped.
Previously, Brits returning from France had to quarantine for 10 days, even if they had both jabs.
However, France has since been added to the amber list, meaning vaccinated Brits no longer need to self-isolate.
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Instead, they can follow the green list rules which only requires two Covid tests – one pre-arrival and on on day two.
Brits are expected to swarm to France to make the most of the last few weeks of the summer holidays, with kids going back to school in September.
Eurotunnel reported a 400 per cent rise in bookings while a Britanny Ferries spokesperson said the phone had been “ringing off the hook” following the announcement.
Families in France face a different experience though as Emmanuel Macron’s vaccine passport scheme comes into effect from today too.
Vaccinated people need to prove they’re double-jabbed for everything in France – from scaling the Eiffel Tower to grabbing a glass of wine on an outdoor terrace.
Brits will have to load a digital QR code handed out by the NHS onto the French coronavirus app in order to prove their vaccine status.
Also from today, Brits can also visit Dubai without having to pay for a quarantine hotel, after the UAE was taken off the red list and added to the amber list.
Yet it is bad news for holidaymakers in Mexico, with the holiday destination added to the red list from this morning.
And quarantine hotels are now more expensive – the new rules have raised the prices from £1,750 for the 10-day stay to £2,285.
The price for a second adult sharing the hotel room will also go up in price, from £650 to £1,430.
The price remains unchanged at £325 for children aged 5-12 and free for children under 5.
We’ve explained the current entry rules for every country in Europe – and whether they are on the green or amber list.