Croatia and Bulgaria will move to the green list

• What to do about your holiday to the Balearics

• The countries on England's red list

• The amber list countries

• What to know before quarantining after a holiday

• Sign up to the Telegraph Travel newsletter

Croatia and Bulgaria are among four destinations that will move to the green or green watchlists from 4am on July 19, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has announced.

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated Britons are welcome in the two countries. UK travellers arriving in Croatia or Bulgaria can use evidence of a negative Covid test, proof of full vaccination for entry or proof of previous infection with coronavirus for entry.

Croatia will be added to the green watchlist, alongside Taiwan (which is closed to visitors) while Bulgaria and Hong Kong (the latter is also shut to Britons) will go firmly onto the green list.

Countries on the green watchlist are “at risk of moving to amber”, according to the Government.

Meanwhile, the Balearic Islands and the British Virgin Islands will turn amber on July 19. Unvaccinated British adults arriving in England from these destinations after July 19 will face 10 days of self-isolation and an additional PCR test. However, since travel rules are to change for double-jabbed Britons on Monday, those who have proof of full immunisation will not be required to quarantine.

Scroll down for more of the latest.

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06:29 PM

Today's travel news: a recap

• Balearic Islands and British Virgin Islands will be added to amber list
• Croatia, Bulgaria, Taiwan and Hong Kong will move to the green or green watchlists
• Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone to join red list
• Wales to follow England and Scotland and waive isolation for amber list returnees
• Malta permits entry to Britons who received Indian-made Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine

​Catch-up with the rest below and join us tomorrow for more travel news.

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06:21 PM

What does the latest announcement mean for holidays?

Nick Trend writes:

Read his piece in full.

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06:15 PM

What to do about your holiday to the Balearics

The Balearics have been downgraded from a green to an amber travel rating for English travellers. For those who are double-vaccinated, the impact will be limited, but it may cause holiday disruption for others.

Telegraph Travel's chief consumer editor, Nick Trend, offers advice what to do if you have a holiday booked to Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza or Formentera.

From what to do if you're in the Balearics now to the rules on travel insurance, he answers the key questions.

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06:12 PM

Which countries and territories are on the amber list?

Fully-vaccinated holidaymakers will be able to travel to amber list countries from July 19 without having to quarantine on their return.

The Balearic Islands and the British Virgin Islands will move from green to amber on the same date.

See the full list of amber countries and territories.

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06:06 PM

ABTA: The green list must expand 'in line with scientific evidence'

The Balearic Islands' return to the amber list is "a step back for the travel industry", according to a spokesperson for ABTA – The Travel Association (formerly the Association of British Tour Operators).

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05:56 PM

Where can unvaccinated Britons visit, quarantine free?

The latest update to the traffic light system has now been confirmed, with the following added to the green list from 4am on July 19: Bulgaria and Hong Kong. Croatia and Taiwan have been added to the green watchlist.

Spain’s Balearic Islands and the British Virgin Islands have been moved from the green watchlist to amber.

However, not all destinations on the green list are open to UK travellers.

See green list and its rules for travel.

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05:51 PM

'Moving to green is seemingly meaningless now'

The Government's traffic light system for travel is "surely unfit for purpose", said Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive, Advantage Travel Partnership (the UK's largest independent travel agent group), in reaction to today's announcement:

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05:43 PM

The countries on England's red list

The latest editions to the highest-risk group are Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone. No countries on the red list have become amber or green.

Britons returning to England from red-listed destinations will continue to face a 10-day stay in a quarantine hotel at a cost of up to £1,750, including Covid tests on day two and eight of their quarantine. Any non-Britons who have been in a red list country within the past 10 days will simply be denied entry to the country.

See the full, updated list.

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05:41 PM

Virus restrictions return in Spain as infections soar

Curfews and other virus restrictions are returning to many regions of Spain as the country tries to curb a surge in more contagious delta variant cases, especially among unvaccinated young people.

The northeastern region of Catalonia is expected to ask the courts for permission to impose a nightly curfew in some cities, including Barcelona.

The neighbouring region of Valencia has already received the green light to restore a curfew in 32 towns. The northern region of Cantabria is also working to impose a curfew.

Catalonia, the epicentre of Spain's jump in infections, has already in recent days ordered public activities to finish at half past midnight, and restricted gatherings to no more than 10 people.

The spike in cases in the region followed the reopening of nightclubs on June 21 and the end of the school year.

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05:30 PM

Which countries and territories are on the green list?

Here are the green list changes that will come into effect on July 19:

1. Anguilla: Green watchlist

2. Antarctica/British Antarctic Territory: Green watchlist

3. Antigua and Barbuda: Green watchlist

4. Australia

5. Balearic islands (Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca): Currently on green watchlist. Will move to amber list 4am, July 19

6. Barbados: Green watchlist

7. Bermuda: Green watchlist

8. British Indian Ocean Territory: Green watchlist

9. British Virgin Islands: Currently on green watchlist. Will move to amber list 4am, July 19.

10. Brunei

11. Bulgaria: Currently on the amber list. Will move to green list 4am, July 19.

12. Cayman Islands: Green watchlis

13. Croatia: Currently on the amber list. Will move to green watchlist 4am, July 19.

14. Dominica: Green watchlist

15. Falkland Islands

16. Faroe Islands

17. Gibraltar

18. Grenada: Green watchlist

19. Hong Kong: Currently on the amber list. Will move to green list 4am, July 19

20. Iceland

21. Israel: Green watchlist

22. Madeira: Green watchlist

23. Malta

24. Montserrat: Green watchlist

25. New Zealand

26. Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Island: Green watchlist

27. Singapore

28. South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

29. St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

30. Taiwan: Currently on the amber list. Will move to green watchlist 4am, July 19.

31. Turks and Caicos Islands: Green watchlist

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05:20 PM

Travellers still fear rules will change 'abruptly', says industry boss

Martin Nolan, traveller rights expert for flight comparison website Skyscanner, comments on the latest traffic light update.

He said:

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05:15 PM

Four more countries will go red

Grant Shapps said on Twitter that the red list will expand.

Mr Shapps has yet to confirm the countries on Twitter. However, they are believed to be Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone. Arrivals from these countries will required to carry out their quarantine in a government-approved hotel at a cost of up to £1,750 per adult.

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04:49 PM

Netherlands to reimpose work-from-home guidance

The Netherlands will reimpose work-from-home guidelines due to soaring COVID-19 infections, just weeks after lifting them, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told parliament on Wednesday.

Last Friday, the Netherlands reintroduced restrictions on bars, restaurants and nightclubs to stop a spate of infections among young adults, just two weeks after most lockdown measures were lifted as cases were falling.

The recommendation to work from home is not compulsory and applies only to people who can do so.

Most lockdown measures were lifted on June 26, as an accelerated rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations drove infections sharply down.

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04:43 PM

US struggling with passport application backlog

The US State Department is "surging" staffing numbers to combat a backlog of as many as two million passport applications due to the pandemic.

Americans have had to wait between 12 and 18 weeks for new passports, an official told Reuters.

Rachel Arndt, deputy assistant secretary for passport services in the department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, said the availability of vaccinations in the US has led to many more than usual applying for passports to travel overseas.

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04:33 PM

Fines for Israelis without masks but no lockdown

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has said that the country can beat a concerning rise in new coronavirus cases without a nationwide shutdown, but that depends in part on people wearing masks indoors.

Bennett told reporters at a news conference that he has instructed police to step up enforcement of the mask rule with high fines for people who violate it.

"That's the fair thing to do, because it's wrong to have people who are lazy and hurt the rest of the public," Bennett said. A national shutdown, he said, was "a last resort," a reflection of the government's effort to keep Israel's economy strong.

"Stop shaking hands," he advised Israelis, suggesting an elbow bump instead. "Stop kissing and hugging except within the family." He also urged Israelis not to travel abroad as the delta variant spreads in Europe and elsewhere.

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04:22 PM

Wales follows England and Scotland on amber list rules

Earlier today the Welsh government announced it will follow England and Scotland in waiving self-isolation rules for fully vaccinated people returning from amber destinations from July 19 to quarantine.

First minister Mark Drakeford said that those "who have been fully vaccinated in the UK will no longer need to self-isolate if they are returning from an amber list country, in line with the position in England and Scotland”.

The Welsh Government’s Coronavirus Control Plan still advises against international travel. The document includes the following lines:

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04:14 PM

How to prove you are fully vaccinated in order to travel abroad

The Balearic Islands might lose their green status. Should they go amber, fully-vaccinated Britons will still be able to visit without self-isolation on their return, effective July 19.

They will need to prove their vaccination status, however.

Here's our guide to Covid passports for travel.

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04:01 PM

Love Island contestants face self-isolation on return from Mallorca

Should the Balearic Islands move to the amber list (perhaps the more likely scenario), then Love Island contestants who aren't fully vaccinated are among those that will face self-isolation on return to the UK.

The TV show is being filmed in Mallorca.

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03:55 PM

Norwegian cruises sues Florida over virus vaccination law

Norwegian Cruise Line is challenging a new Florida law that prevents cruise companies from requiring passengers to show proof of vaccination against the Covid-19.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Miami federal court, contends that the law jeopardizes safe operation of cruise ships by increasing risk of contracting the virus. Norwegian intends to restart cruises from Florida ports Aug. 15 with vaccinations required for all passengers.

Norwegian wants a judge to lift the ban by Aug. 6. The law imposes a fine of $5,000 each time a cruise line mandates that a passenger provide vaccination proof. Norwegian claims it violates federal law and several constitutional rights.

The company says it won't be able to sail from Florida unless a judge acts to block the law.

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03:50 PM

Which countries are green, amber and red?

Not forgetting the green watchlist, which currently includes the Balearic Islands.

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03:46 PM

'Hong Kong, Taiwan to be added to green list'

Reuters reports:

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03:37 PM

French police quell protest against Covid health passport rules

Dozens of French police used tear gas to disperse a protest against President Emmanuel Macron's plan to require a Covid-19 vaccine certificate or negative PCR test to gain entry to bars, restaurants and cinemas from next month.

Mr Macron has announced sweeping measures to fight a rapid surge in new coronavirus infections, including the mandatory vaccination of health workers and new health pass rules for the wider public.

In doing so, he went further than most other European nations have done as the highly contagious Delta variant fans a new wave of cases, and other governments are watching carefully to see how the French public responds.

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03:23 PM

Ferry disruption due to staff self-isolating

Ferry passengers have seen services cancelled due to self-isolating workers on a cross-Solent ferry.

The ferry operator, Red Funnel said it had to cancel vehicle ferry sailings because 30 per cent of employees were unable to work.

The ferry firm said many staff were having to isolate because they had been alerted by the NHS app or had come into close contact with someone with Covid.

Some six sailings have been cancelled between Southampton and East Cowes on Wednesday and Thursday.

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03:12 PM

Gov: Cutting flight numbers part of plan to reduce carbon emissions

The Government has confirmed reducing the number of flights in and out of airports will be part of its plan to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2040.

However, it was unclear whether Grant Shapps also backed calls to stop the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney (Richmond Park) asked the Transport Secretary: "There needs to be a combination of both technological development but also flight reduction because otherwise it is not going to be possible. Can he confirm that reducing flights will form part of this plan, if it is a plan, to get this country to net zero emissions by 2040 and that he will therefore act decisively to stop expansion of Heathrow?"

In response, Mr Shapps said: "The answer is emphatically yes. We will for example have planes for VIPs returning for Cop26 with the offer of SAP, sustainable aviation fuel, taking them home: and that is in 2021. We have got until 2040 to develop some of the other great plans, including hydrogen and battery technology."

He also said emissions from flights made up a "sliver" of emissions from transport, accounting for only 1.2 per cent of these emissions, while road travel accounted for 70 per cent.

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03:00 PM

The European nation with the highest Covid case rates?

It's Cyprus, where following a long period of stability, infection numbers in the amber-listed country have jumped by more than 50% in the last week, now standing at 542.58 per 100,000 citizens. The runner-up, it should be noted, is the UK.

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02:44 PM

Could the Balearics really turn red?

That's what expert Paul Charles of the PC Agency is suggesting, tweeting the below chart earlier today. In reality, this would be a shocking decision on behalf of the Government, even by their standards. It does, however, seem very likely now that the Balearics are destined for the amber list, with the announcement due as early as today.

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02:35 PM

Lufthansa adopts gender-neutral policy for passengers

Germany's flag carrier has announced that it is retiring "ladies and gentlemen" as an on-board greeting in favour of gender-neutral alternatives.

A spokesman for Lufthansa told AFP: "Crews are being instructed to choose a greeting that includes all passengers," he said, adding that "dear guests" or a simple "good morning/good evening" would be used instead.

Additionally, Lufthansa passengers will be offered a third gender option during the booking process, alongside “male” and “female.”

The new policy, which will be phased in gradually, applies to German flag carrier Lufthansa as well as the group's Swiss, Austrian, Brussels and Eurowings airlines.

Other airlines to have taken the same initiative include Air Canada and Japan Airlines.

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02:25 PM

What's going on in Malta?

While Transport Secretary Grant Shapps says Malta has changed its travel policy to allow in Britons who have received Indian-made doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, the situation in Malta remains unclear.

The latest statement from Malta High Commission in London, from Tuesday, says:

When approached for comment a spokesperson from Malta Tourism Authority told The Telegraph:

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02:17 PM

Inspiration: 7 incredible long-term trips to make up for lost time

After 15 months of isolation on our little island, we deserve much longer than a two-week holiday – at least, that’s what a third of Britons conclude, according to research by Skyscanner.

So where to go? Hazel Plush has curated a list of 7 holidays that squeeze maximum adventure into three weeks or more – traversing countries and continents, with new discoveries every day. All listed companies offer robust protection for refunds or postponement, in the event of travel bans and border closures.

Check them out here.

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01:55 PM

Industry boss: Balearics traffic light status 'laughable on a national scale'

Reaction is rolling in following speculation that the Balearics will soon lose their green status. Here is Timothy Davis, CEO of BNPL travel agent, Butter:

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01:45 PM

Grant Shapps confirms Malta will accept Indian-made AstraZeneca jabbed travellers

Straight from the horse's mouth...

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01:44 PM

PM: No more travel disruption expected over Indian jabs

Downing Street has said it does not expect any further passengers to be turned away from flights to Malta due to having been given a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine made in India.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said: "This is not an ongoing incident, this is an incident which happened last week. The Maltese authorities have since amended their travel advice, so we would not expect this to happen again."

Asked whether that meant no further passengers would be barred from boarding flights due to the Indian-made vaccine issue, the No 10 spokesman said:

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01:35 PM

Poll: 72% of Telegraph readers would delete NHS track and trace app before a holiday

The results are in. Yesterday we asked you, in response to this story, whether you would delete your NHS tracking app pre-holiday to avoid getting pinged. The majority of you said yes...

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01:20 PM

Watch: Sadiq Khan asks TfL to enforce masks on London transport

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01:10 PM

Which of the ‘Big Five’ holiday destinations is your best bet for a summer escape?

European nations are battening down the hatches as the Delta variant that has taken hold in England threatens their own reopenings.

All of this makes booking a holiday on the Continent like putting your house on black: risky.

With this in mind, Hugh Morris looks at the Big Five – Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and France – and their current potential for a summer break, from infection and vaccine rates to prevalent attitudes and existing restrictions.

Read his analysis here.

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12:57 PM

Barcelona seeks new curfew rule

Barcelona city council has asked for a new night curfew to be brought in between 1am and 6am to limit the numbers of people gathering in the city, Barcelona’s deputy mayor for security, Albert Batlle has revealed.

Catalonia reinstated Covid restrictions last week in response to a rise in cases.

"We are on the verge of a new curfew," Mr Batlle said.

Starting from July 19, fully-vaccinated Britons will be able to return from a trip to Spain without facing self-isolation.

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12:49 PM

EU climate blueprint pressures airlines to cut emissions

Airlines will lose a tax exemption for aviation fuel and must increase the use of bio-based alternatives while paying more for emissions under European Union proposals unveiled on Wednesday.

The European Commission said aviation must do more to contribute to the EU's goal to cut economy-wide net emissions by 55 per cent by 2030, from 1990 levels.

Proposals issued after last-minute negotiations in the bloc's executive Commission, call for a progressive introduction of taxes on fuels for flights within the 27-nation bloc, which currently escape EU-wide levies.

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12:39 PM

Where will your Covid jab get you?

As Wales follows England and Scotland in confirming the reduction of most Covid restrictions, many travellers will be looking forward to a summer of greater freedom. From Monday, fully-vaccinated Britons can return from both green and amber destinations without facing self-isolation.

But where will let you in with a double, or single, vaccination?

We take a look at the entry requirements of popular holiday destinations.

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12:21 PM

Wales to scrap most Covid rules from August 7

The majority of Covid restrictions in Wales will be scrapped from August 7, if infection rates allow.

Legal limits on the number of people who can meet are set to come to an end from the date, according to new plans from the Welsh Government.

Nightclubs could reopen and indoor social distancing laws will be replaced with risk assessments. Face mask rules will continue in most indoor public spaces, except hospitality businesses.

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12:09 PM

'The key to a successful holiday is the same as a cup final'

... lower your expectations, writes my colleague, the typically optimistic, Greg Dickinson. Like many, he's still reeling from England's loss.

He explains why you should prepare for the worst, but still hope for the best.

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12:00 PM

In pictures: the Balearics this month

How has it been looking in the Spanish Balearics over the past few weeks as Britons poured in following their promotion to green status (which looks like it might be short-lived)?

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11:45 AM

Half of EU adults now vaccinated

More than half of adults in the European Union are now vaccinated, according to the latest figures, and regional leaders turned up the pressure to get even more people immunised.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that will be the deciding factor for the future course of the pandemic.

Here's a look at the winners of the race so far:

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11:34 AM

Q&A: What does it mean for my holidays if I had the Indian-made Astrazeneca vaccine?

Five million Britons have unknowingly received a dose of the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine.

Currently the jab, which was authorised in the UK in February, is not approved in Europe or recognised under the EU’s new vaccine passport scheme. This means that even if you are fully vaccinated, certain European countries could deny you entry.

While initially this was seen as more of a theoretical problem, The Telegraph has revealed that UK travellers have been barred from flights to Malta due to the country not recognising their vaccination status.

Here, Emma Beaumont breaks down everything you need to know about travelling in Europe if you have received the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine.

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11:23 AM

First travellers take off from Manchester’s Airport’s new terminal

The first passengers travelled through Manchester’s Airport’s new terminal extension this morning, marking a major milestone in the Northern gateway’s 83-year history.

A Jet2 flight to Menorca was the first to take off from the expanded Terminal Two, which is the centrepiece of the hub’s £1bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP).

Work started on the transformation in 2017 and – despite a delay of more than one year to the opening as a result of the pandemic – the facility was officially opened by Manchester Airport’s Managing Director Karen Smart and Jet2.com’s General Manager at Manchester Airport, Marc Burns, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony today.

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11:09 AM

The red list countries that could move to amber in time for summer holidays

Ahead of tomorrow's announcement, some ‘red listed’ countries could be in the running for an ‘amber promotion’ in time for the summer holiday rush, judging by the latest data, meaning an end to the expensive mandatory hotel quarantine that passengers returning from the 56 red-listed countries face.

So which destinations have a shot? Turkey, Qatar and the Dominican Republic are among the top hopefuls, according to Greg Dickinson's analysis.

Read the full report here.

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10:57 AM

Have your say: Should face masks be mandatory on all public transport?

Sadiq Khan announced overnight that he was overriding Government plans to lift restrictions on face masks by making them mandatory on Transport for London from July 19.

This morning Grant Shapps said this was what "would and should" happen, even adding that it was what he "wanted".

However, as things stand face masks are only a "condition of carriage", which while a legal requirement, is one that is enforced by individual operators. That means different rules for different trains, with unions warning it will lead to confusion and potentially risks to health.

So is Sadiq Khan right to maintain masks on TfL? Should face masks be mandatory on all public transport? Or is this undermining the very aim of "personal" responsibility? Have your say in the poll below.

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10:47 AM

Luxury travel provider Scott Dunn sees 50% increase in enquiries

Luxury travel operator Scott Dunn is reporting that enquiries have doubled since it was announced that fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to quarantine upon their return from amber list countries.

Simon Lynch, Global Sales and Product Director, tells us:

Here are the top 5 in-demand destinations

1. Greece

2. Spain (including the Balearics)

3. France (particularly ski)

4. Italy

5. Antigua

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10:33 AM

ATOL warns consumers to check financial protection before booking

UK Civil Aviation Authority and ATOL are warning consumers to check that they are financially protected when booking holidays this summer.

A statement reads:

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10:20 AM

What's the situation in Portugal?

Another of our favourite holiday destinations, which had a brief flirtation with the green list earlier this year before turning amber again, where it will almost certainly stay tomorrow...

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10:11 AM

Grant Shapps: Indian-made AstraZeneca discrimination 'not right and shouldn’t be happening'

The discrimination of Britons who have had the Indian-made version of the AstraZeneca vaccine "is not right and shouldn't be happening", the Transport Secretary has said.

The Telegraph revealed how British holidaymakers are being barred from boarding flights after receiving the batch that is not licensed in the EU and up to five million Britons had received the version of the jab without being told.

Although some European countries have individually agreed to accept the jab, The Telegraph can reveal that Malta, one of the few countries on the Government’s green list, will not.

Grant Shapps told the BBC:

The medicines agency, the MHRA, have been very clear that it doesn't matter whether the AstraZeneca that you have is made here or by the Serum institute in India - it's absolutely the same product, it provides exactly the same certification and level of protection from the virus.

So we'll certainly speak to the our Maltese colleagues to point all this out. Obviously, it's up to them what they do, but we'll be making the sort of the scientific point in the strongest possible terms, there is no difference we don't recognise any difference."

This is the lead story on our coronavirus live blog.

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09:57 AM

ScotRail debuts new bike carriages to encourage passengers to leave car at home

Here are some photos of the new ScotRail Highland Explorer service, with trains that have specially adapted carriages capable of carrying 20 bikes.

The carriages are being introduced on the service that will operate along the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Oban from July 19.

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09:49 AM

Grant Shapps: Holiday uncertainty is 'a fact of life'

More from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who told BBC Breakfast:

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09:40 AM

Comment: Why Cannes is not as glamorous as you might think

The idea of ‘chichi’ Cannes is a myth, writes Anthony Peregrine – beneath the festival’s fizz, foam and froth, there’s not much else:

For years, I got Cannes wrong. I suggested that, were the Riviera resort to slide into the sea, mankind would be little the poorer. I charged the seaside town with weightlessness. And, as the place is showing right now at festival time – with its processions of posh frocks, tuxedos and pandemic of photographers – it is pretty frothy. Weightless, indeed. So I was right. But also wrong. In Cannes’ case, weightlessness isn’t a charge. It’s a virtue. There are quite enough weighty places elsewhere. I should have realised this earlier.

It was, though, an easy mistake to make. For two weeks every year – usually in May, this year in July – the Cannes film festival chucks stardust in our eyes. In recent days, Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard and Jodie Foster have been among those grinning under the Mediterranean sun, a sun which has highlighted the extreme pinkness of the suit worn by festival jury president Spike Lee.

Read on, here.

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09:32 AM

Deborah Meaden calls for ABTA to brand marine parks 'unacceptable'

Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden fired off a letter on PETA’s behalf to Chief Executive Mark Tanzer of travel association ABTA urging him to add visits to marine parks to its list of unacceptable practices, writing:

In her letter, Meaden also notes that ABTA has listed direct contact between elephants and tourists as an “unacceptable” practice since 2019 and asks that cetaceans receive the same consideration:

Following talks with PETA, a long list of companies have stopped promoting SeaWorld, including Your Co-op Travel, British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays, STA Travel, Premier Holidays, and TripAdvisor.

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09:24 AM

Could this explain the Malta situation?

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has suggested a reason for why Britons are being refused boarding due to the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine.

He said:

Head to our coronavirus live blog for more.

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09:14 AM

BA launches inflight ordering service direct to seat on short-haul flights

British Airways has today unveiled its new 'inflight digital ordering platform', giving customers travelling in Euro Traveller the option to order additional snacks and drinks mid-flight, directly to their seat.

It means passengers no longer have to pre-order meal options ahead of the flight.

The service launches from July 19 on selected routes before it is rolled out on most short-haul flights from Heathrow Airport.

Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said:

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09:04 AM

Indonesia overtakes India to become new Asian Covid epicentre

Indonesia has overtaken India to become the new Asian epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic as its latest surge of infections rages out of control, writes Asia Correspondent Nicola Smith.

The Southeast Asian nation – the world’s fourth most populous with 270 million people – now has around 132 cases per million compared to India’s 26, reported Nikkei Asia. The daily death count per capita on average is about 3 per million compared with less than one in India.

Indonesia’s alarming figures, fuelled by the Delta variant, are already believed to be vastly underestimated due to poor rates of testing and contact tracing.

Each day, official figures show new record highs. On Tuesday, 47,899 new infections were reported, up from 40,427 the previous day. India's cases dropped to 32,906 from 37,154, although cumulatively its tallies are still the highest in Asia.

Indonesia is now experiencing similar bed and oxygen shortages seen in India during its crisis earlier this year.

Health Minister Budi Sadikin said on Tuesday that Covid-19 bed occupancy rates in the nation's capital, Jakarta, was close to 90%.

He warned the government is preparing for a scenario where cases could increase 30% over the next two weeks and accelerate in other regions.

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08:43 AM

Grant Shapps: 'We do expect that countries will move from one category to another'

There will be changes to the traffic light system tomorrow, the Transport Secretary has implied – unsurprising given the raging case rates across Europe.

When quizzed by the BBC this morning over speculation that the Balearics could lose their green status, Grant Shapps said:

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08:35 AM

Allison Pearson: I’m still going on a red list holiday – it’s safer than going to Blackpool

It would make sense to put Turkey and other countries which are safer than the UK on the amber list next week... so they probably won't, argues Allison Pearson:

Read the full comment here.

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08:24 AM

Reader callout: We want to hear from you

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08:18 AM

Watch: British tourists with Indian jab taken off flight to Malta

Steve and Glenda Hardy, 64 and 63, were turned back at Manchester Airport at 3.30am on Friday when they tried to board a flight to Malta, where they were set to visit their son, whom they have not seen for more than a year.

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08:13 AM

UK travellers with Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine barred from holidays

British holidaymakers are being barred from boarding flights after receiving an Indian-made version of the AstraZeneca vaccine that is not licensed in the EU.

The Telegraph revealed this month that up to five million Britons had received the version of the jab without being told.

There is nothing wrong with the vaccine, which has been authorised by the World Health Organisation, but it is yet to be approved by the European Medicines Agency and so is not accepted by the EU vaccine passport scheme.

Although some European countries have individually agreed to accept the jab, The Telegraph can reveal that Malta, one of the few countries on the Government’s green list, will not.

Read the full report here.

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08:07 AM

Lockdown in Sydney extended by two weeks

Australian authorities on Wednesday said they would extend a lockdown of the country's most populous city, Sydney, by two weeks after reporting a rise in new Covid-19 cases as it battles an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant.

The state of New South Wales, which had a lockdown in Sydney scheduled to end on July 16, reported 97 new cases of the virus in the prior 24 hours, up from 89 new cases the previous day.

State premier Gladys Berejiklian said at a televised news conference:

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07:57 AM

Venice finally bans cruise ships

After years of hesitation, Italy has at last banned cruise ships from entering the Venice lagoon.

The government signed the decree after UNESCO threatened to blacklist Italy for dragging its heels on protecting the World Heritage site, cabinet sources said.

As of August 1, all liners over 25,000 tonnes will no longer be permitted to enter the waters off St Mark’s Square or the Giudecca Canal.

“This intervention could be put off no longer,” Dario Franceschini, the culture minister, said.

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07:24 AM

At a glance: Spain's Covid situation

Cases are rising fast...

But it's the same story in the UK...

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07:19 AM

Recap: yesterday's top stories

Before we go any further, let's have a quick review of yesterday's key travel developments:

• Cruise industry hopeful of Scotland restart

• FCDO lifts travel advisory against Cyprus

• France to tighten borders with UK over Delta variant

• Cayman Islands plan full reopening... for January, 2022

• Adventure operator Dragoman suspends operations

• Too early to be talking about freedom as virus is still 'troubling and dangerous', warns WHO

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07:16 AM

Cruise ship returns to Singapore after suspected infection

Singapore's tourism board said on Wednesday a cruise ship operated by Genting Cruise Lines had returned to the city-state after a 40-year-old passenger was suspected to have contracted Covid-19.

"On July 13, the passenger was identified as a close contact of a confirmed case on land, and was immediately isolated as part of onboard health protocols," the tourism board said in a statement.

It said the passenger tested positive to a PCR test onboard and had been conveyed to hospital for further confirmatory testing.

All on-board leisure activities on Dream Cruises' World Dream ship had ceased and passengers had been asked to stay in their cabins until test results are out and contact tracing was complete, the tourism board said.

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07:15 AM

Balearics to lose green status? What Government sources are saying

The Sun, which first reported the alleged travel change, quoted a source saying: "It's all still up for discussion, but the figures aren't great which is why it was on the watch list in the first place."

The Department for Transport said there was "nothing to say at the moment" on changes to the Balearic islands' travel status.