Malta, Madeira and Balearics hope for tourism boost

Published on : Thursday, June 24, 2021

The UK holidaymakers can jet off for a week or more in Malta and Madeira and avoid quarantining when they get back as a new travel green list kicks. The Balearic islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca were last night also on the cusp of being added, with a final decision being made at a meeting .

The Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to bump up the holiday islands in changes separate to the Government looking into allowing those who’ve had two vaccine doses, and their kids, to avoid quarantine. The pressure is mounting for those measures to be unveiled when lockdown is due to end on July 19.

Travel expert Paul Charles, from consultancy The PC Agency, said that the data proves most amber countries are safe to travel to and from now, so quarantine should be removed in line with the great United Kingdom unlocking.

Currently, Brits have to get at least two tests when returning from green-list countries, while amber countries require a minimum of three. Gold standard PCR tests required for entry to the UK cost around £120, meaning a massive burden on travelling families.

But the Transport department has drawn up plans to slash the number of tests for double-jabbed returnees from amber countries in August. The ministers are meeting today to hammer out the new rules, though they have been met with fierce resistance from the Home Office and Department of Health.