The government has reportedly abandoned proposals for an “amber watchlist” of countries at risk of moving to red in the Covid travel traffic light system.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he wants a “simple” and “balanced approach” to travel during the pandemic. Therefore, there are currently no plans to add new categories to the system at this time.
Ahead of this week’s review, the government considered the idea of an additional level in the traffic light system for foreign travel. But it is feared it could make it become too complex and put people off from travelling. One MP labelled the watchlist as a “massive red flag” that would result in chaos with people trying to cancel holiday bookings.
The new category would have warned travellers when amber destinations were at risk of shifting to red. A red classification means travel bans for everybody apart from UK nationals and residents, who would need hotel quarantine on their return. However, this proposal was met with a lot of opposition.
A ‘clear and consistent’ approach
Mr Johnson argues that he recognises people’s desire to go abroad, but wants to prevent new variants of the virus entering the UK. He says “people want, badly, to go on their summer holidays”. He also sees the “need to get the travel industry moving again”, and city centres open. The PM is keen for an “approach that is as simple as we can possibly make it”.
Mr Johnson warns that people still need to act with caution, especially since the UK’s economy and society are probably “the most open in Europe” at the moment.
Meanwhile, the travel industry were relived to hear the news that the watchlist plans would not happen. The chief executive of industry body Airlines UK calls it “a victory for common sense”. He agrees that what people want is a “clear and consistent travel system that they can understand”, and is “workable”.
He now urges the government go even further to help the travel industry by including more countries on the green list. This way travellers can visit more destinations without having to quarantine.
However, Labour say scrapping the idea for a watchlist shows the Tories are “in total chaos” over their pandemic policies.
What are the traffic light system rules?
- Green: Travellers must have a negative Covid test before returning from a country on the green list, and take another test two days later.
- Amber: Travellers coming from amber destinations must take a Covid test three days before their return, and a PCR test two days after arrival. Those who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate for 10 days.
- Red: Everyone travelling from red list countries must take a test before departure. On arrival, they are to self-isolate in a government approved hotel for 10 days.
Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon calls on the government to provide “maximum clarity” to passengers and the travel industry by publishing more data. He believes we need clearer information about the coronavirus situation and level of infections in other countries. This way we can build back confidence in travel.
Mr McMahon says the government already “failed to protect our borders” by allowing variants to enter “in such force”. He also accuses them of repeatedly not being “straight with the public and industry”.
Meanwhile, Huw Merriman, chairman of the Commons Transport Committee, welcomes scrapping the idea of an amber watchlist. He says: “To deliver confidence and stability, the traffic light system needs to be red, amber and green, and nothing in between”.
The next updates to list movements on the travel traffic light system is due on Thursday.
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