Proposals to create an ‘amber watch list’ as part of the Government’s Covid travel rules have been abandoned following a fierce backlash.
Ministers had planned to create the new category for countries at risk of being moved into the red list under the Government’s risk-based traffic light system.
The new sub category was tipped to include popular tourist destinations such as Spain and Italy, which would be at risk of joining the red list at short notice and forcing travellers into costly quarantine hotels.
But following a revolt from Tory backbenchers, Labour, and complaints from travel bosses that the list would cause more chaos, Government sources confirmed the list will be axed.
Boris Johnson was forced into yet another U-turn after it is understood that Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, and international trade minister Liz Truss, were some of the key Cabinet members who opposed plans.
The prime minister said earlier today that he wanted a ‘simple and user-friendly’ travel system for the public – hinting that proposals could be ditched.
Asked if he personally backed the new list earlier today, Mr Johnson said: ‘I understand how much people plan, prepare, for the summer holidays.
‘But we have also got to remember this is still a dangerous virus and we must try and stop variants coming in, must stop importing variants from abroad, so we have to have a balanced approach.
‘What I want to see is something that is as simple and as user-friendly for people as possible.’
Ministers are due to meet on Thursday to review the traffic light system and decide what travel rules will be in place for the rest of August.
The amber watchlist would have applied to countries at risk of moving into the red category, which requires hotel quarantine for 10 days at a cost of £1,750 per adult.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had reportedly been pushing for the ‘amber watchlist’ idea to be shelved, reported The Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak is said to have told the PM that the UK’s entry and exit rules are ‘out of step with our international competitors’ and are hurting the economy.
It comes as new rules exempting fully-jabbed travellers from the US and amber-list European countries from self-isolation upon UK arrival came into force at 4am on Monday.
More to follow…
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