Boris Johnson has confirmed that the ban on non-essential international travel will be lifted from next Monday (May 17), allowing people to go on holidays to ‘green list’ countries.
The Prime Minister briefed the nation to announce the next phase of the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
He said that the data shows that the Government’s “four tests” for easing restrictions have been met. Infection rates are at their lowest level since September, while hospital admissions and patients in hospital continue to decrease – with levels now similar to July last year.
Strict border control measures will remain in place for all travellers, including pre-departure tests and a PCR test on or before day two of their arrival back in the UK.
As expected, it was also announced that hotels and b&bs in England can reopen their doors to leisure travellers from the same date. Previously, properties were only able to accommodate ‘essential travellers’ and the majority have been shut since the start of the year, or earlier.
Small group trips will also be back on the cards, as up to six people or two households will be able meet indoors.
Scroll down for more on this, and today's other top travel stories.
05:00 PM
What happened today?
A recap of the top stories:
Travel traffic light list to be reviewed in June
Hotels and b&bs in England to reopen on May 17
Wizz Air resumes flights to green list destinations
Portugal to assess tourism reopening on May 13
Algarve tourism boss: 'There is plenty of availability for this summer'
Free lateral flow tests may not be approved for departing green list holidaymakers
Join us tomorrow for more of the latest travel news.
04:48 PM
Five bonny Scottish hotels to book now for a summer staycation
While some hotels in Scotland have already reopened, with restrictions still in place (including hospitality curfews), many are waiting until May 17 to welcome guests. Unsurprisingly, some properties are already fully booked for the summer, but here are five brilliant options with space remaining.
The fabulous Fife Arms in Braemar
04:40 PM
Boris Johnson: No change for June 21 for lifting all social restrictions
In the briefing Boris Johnson was asked whether the 21 June date – when all social restrictions are due to be lifted – could be moved forwards.
He said: "It's very important that we should proceed cautiously, but as I've said many times, hopefully irreversibly."
"The secret of the success so far is that we have been guided by the data and given time to see the effect of the roadmap on the data."
Boris Johnson confirms new rules on travel and hospitality
Amongst a number of new freedoms, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed the following easing of restrictions from May 17:
Hotels and b&bs in England can reopen
Everyone can travel within Britain and stay overnight
International travel ban lifted
Indoor dining can return
Six people can meet indoors
04:01 PM
Watch live: Boris Johnson sets out new freedoms from May 17
03:55 PM
Nepal reports record rise in Covid cases
The country has reported 9,127 new coronavirus cases, its highest daily tally.
A further 139 deaths were also recorded. The country’s positive rate is now among the highest in the world at 47 per cent.
Nepal has been impacted heavily by the spread of the Indian variant, with cases surging by 1,200 per cent in recent weeks.
03:41 PM
The nine unanswered questions following the 'green list' reveal
The big reveal has come and gone: overseas holidays are back on from May 17. Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, has delivered, as promised on April 9, a ‘traffic light’ system. This is the first and most significant step towards the resumption of travel. From next Monday, we’re no longer banned from going abroad without a “valid” reason.
Portugal may have been given the green light, but many questions remain - istock
Yet, the small fizz of excitement has settled, leaving behind plenty of concerns. The initial ‘green list’ is very meagre, and beyond the green, amber and red ratings, there was little clarity for Britons who wish to take a foreign trip this summer.
What to expect from Boris Johnson's roadmap reveal today
At 5pm, Boris Johnson is set to announce that people in England can take a step closer to normality from next week.
In terms of domestic travel and hospitality, the big changes are that hotels in England will be able to reopen to leisure travellers and indoor dining can return. The ban on non-essential international will also be lifted on this date, with the 'traffic light system' coming into effect.
Eight holiday ideas for Portugal this summer – still with availability
Holidays to Portugal have been given the green light. So, if you are longing to hear Atlantic waves breaking on a sandy beach, for the scent of grilled sardines to tempt your tastebuds, or to savour a glass of Portuguese red wine on a sun dappled square, here is our list of the best Portuguese holidays to book now.
Pretty Sao Lourenco do Barrocal, one of the best hotels in the Alentejo - NELSON GARRIDO
02:59 PM
Travel agents bombard Grant Shapps with angry tweets
Travel agents have taken to social media to contact transport secretary Grant Shapps, after he appeared to imply that their businesses were outdated during Friday's 'green list' announcement.
At the Downing Street briefing, Shapps referred to "travel companies… what people would have called travel agents, perhaps, in the past".
In the days since, many businesses owners have used the social media platform to inform him that they are not, in fact, a thing of the past:
Why you don't have to worry about holidays selling out this summer
While there is pent-up demand, it will still be possible to enjoy a European summer holiday this year, says our consumer editor Nick Trend:
Even though there is clearly plenty of pent up demand, it is nevertheless inevitable that far fewer people will be travelling this summer compared with a normal year.
First, there are plenty who are simply too nervous to go abroad yet. Second, many of us have already committed to having our summer holidays in the UK – and few, especially in the wake of the pandemic, are likely to be able to afford the time or money to book another break abroad.
What is more, as several major operators assured me earlier in the year, even if there is some pressure on availability because there are fewer holidays and flights on sale at the moment, that can quickly change. The one thing which travel companies are good at is adding capacity when demand increases. Let’s face it – there are going to be millions of empty hotel rooms in Europe this summer.
London's City Cruises to resume sailings, with free tickets for NHS staff
Tickets for London cruises are usually priced from £11 per person - City Cruises
City Cruises, the largest tour boat operator on the River Thames, has announced that it will resume sailings from May 20.
The London-based company, which also operates in Poole and York, is offering two-for-one cruise tickets (on sailings 20-27 May) and giving away 100 free tickets to NHS workers. To qualify for the free tickets, NHS staff should show their ID badge when booking.
02:03 PM
Why Europe's golden waterway could be first in line for river cruisers
The Douro - gkuna/iStockphoto
Portugal's inclusion on the green list means Douro river cruises could be a proposition for Brits this summer.
Douro cruising has an entirely different flavour to other European rivers, notably the Rhine and the Danube, which have a busier feel as they flow through some of Europe’s most historic and bustling cities.
The so-called River of Gold is more of an exotic backwater as it winds through Portugal’s remote hinterland, which has Unesco World Heritage status as the world’s first demarcated wine region.
Airlines and tour operators are hoping that more destinations will be added to the green list when the travel traffic lights system is reviewed next month.
According to the UK Government's roadmap, the red, amber and green lists will be updated every three weeks – putting the next review date in early June. It is hoped that this will herald the inclusion of Spain, France, Italy and the US.
"We expect the number of countries on the green list to grow next month to include many of our popular summer destinations," easyJet Chief Executive Johan Lundgren said in a statement.
01:22 PM
Spain urges citizens to ‘behave responsibly’ after mass street parties
A Spanish government minister has pleaded for people to “behave responsibly” after the country ended its six-month state of emergency.
Street parties erupted in major cities across the country this weekend to celebrate the end of the most severe Covid restrictions, including night time curfews.
Revellers dancing in Barcelona - AFP
Justice minister Juan Carlos Campo wrote in El Pais: “The end of the state of emergency does not mean the end of restrictions. Far from it. The virus threat still exists.
“That’s why the authorities will continue to take action and the public must keep on behaving responsibly.”
01:14 PM
Comment: Forget the pathetic green list, today's announcement is the real kickstart for summer breaks
Foreign holidays are set to plagued by cancellation chaos and confusion for months, but today British travellers have a reason to celebrate, writes Lottie Gross.
Friday’s green list announcement was not the one I’ve been waiting on. Tonight is the big one, because this evening at his 5pm press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is going to finally give the green light to indoor life from May 17. It’s expected that he’s even going to permit hugging again, if you’re into that sort of thing.
But most of all, it’s fantastic news for us travellers, because finally, after more than five months of closure, our hotels, museums and indoor attractions will reopen, meaning we can have a proper holiday in Britain.
Wizz Air resumes flights to green list destinations
Budget airline Wizz Air has announced it will restart flights to four ‘green list’ countries from May 17.
The carrier will resume routes to Tel Aviv, Reykjavik, Gibraltar, Faro and Lisbon when the ban on non-essential international travel lifts.
Wizz Air
Owain Jones, Wizz Air’s UK managing director, said: “The team welcomes the announcement from the UK Government on the green list countries for the restart of international travel.
“We are prepared to ramp up operations quickly when restrictions ease, with the recent delivery of four brand new A321neo aircraft and the expansion of our UK network.
“In the past year alone, we have launched over 20 new routes to Europe and beyond, providing affordable air fares to exciting destinations.”
Malaysia has become the latest South Asian nation to impose a fresh nationwide lockdown, as a surge of coronavirus cases threaten its health system.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said all inter-state and inter-district travel will be banned, along with social gatherings.
"Malaysia is facing a third wave of Covid-19 that could trigger a national crisis," Mr Muhyiddin said in a statement, adding that the lockdown would last until June 7.
12:15 PM
Portugal bookings soar, yet tourism remains off-limits
Bookings for Portugal holidays are surging, despite the country's borders remaining closed to tourists. In the wake of the green list announcement, tour operator Jet2 is reporting a 1,300pc week-on-week rise in holiday reservations, while Ryanair has released an additional 175,000 seats on its UK-Portugal routes this summer.
Holiday agency Not Just Travel is experiencing a 'frenzy of activity' for Portugal bookings, according to co-founder Steve Witt, and Tui has also announced new flights between the UK and Madeira and the Algarve.
However, mainland Portugal remains off-limits to tourism, with no indication of when holidays may resume. As the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office warns, 'If you are travelling from the UK, you can only enter [Portugal] for essential purposes, such as to live with immediate family members, or for professional, educational, health or humanitarian reasons.'
Britons are booking Portugal holidays – yet there is no confirmed date for tourism to resume - Getty
However, tourism to Portuguese island Madeira is currently permitted, with only the requirement for pre-arrival PCR tests.
Travel agencies are selling Portugal itineraries in the hope that the country's restrictions may ease, but if tourism remains off-limits they will be forced to rebook or refund holidaymakers. Some are more cautious than others: while Ryanair's new flights will launch on May 17, Jet2 has delayed its resumption of flights and holidays until June 24.
Portugal is one of just 12 destinations on the 'green list', announced by transport secretary Grant Shapps last week – meaning that holidays can resume from May 17, and travellers returning to the UK will not be required to quarantine.
12:02 PM
In pictures: the Maldives' 'floating city'
Plans to develop a 'floating city' in the Maldives have been announced by Netherlands-based engineering company Dutch Docklands, in cooperation with the Maldives Government.
The development will be set in a lagoon ten minutes from Malé, the Maldivian capital, with thousands of waterfront residences, hotels, restaurants and a marina.
Here's what it (might) look like, according to renderings by the developer:
Dutch Docklands - Dutch Docklands
Dutch Docklands - Dutch Docklands
11:42 AM
'It's easy to find a little bit of Hollywood on our shores this summer'
Harry Styles films My Policeman on Brighton beach - MWE/GC Images
After spotting Harry Styles filming in her hometown of Brighton, Teresa Machan is on the look-out for other A-list sightings in the UK this summer:
We quite often drool over ‘exotic’ film locations – the Croatian island of Vis (Mamma Mia 2) and New Zealand’s Hobbiton spring to mind – while forgetting that the UK has a proud history as a filming nation.
This summer could be the ideal opportunity to seek out our diverse cinematic scenery. Days before Styles’s shoot, Tom Cruise was on location in North Yorkshire with co-star Hayley Atwell, filming a steam locomotive scene for Mission: Impossible 7 – due for release next May. A friend in the village of Pickering WhatsApped me to say she had heard Cruise’s chopper landing (he flew himself) while she was hanging up washing in the garden.
Britons still keen for Spanish sunshine, despite quarantine requirement
Tenerife is on the amber list, but still proving popular with holiday-searching Britons - Getty
Flight comparison site Skyscanner has revealed this weekend's most searched-for destinations – and while Portugal dominates the top ten, searches for Spain are also high.
Spain is set to be on the amber list from May 17, meaning that returning travellers must quarantine for up to ten days.
Tel Aviv also features, after Israel was granted green list status on Friday.
Here's the list in full:
Faro, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
Porto, Portugal
Alicante, Spain
Madeira, Portugal
Malaga, Spain
Tel Aviv, Israel
London
Tenerife, Spain
Gibraltar
10:43 AM
Tour operator offering free PCR tests for Portugal holidaymakers
When it comes to Covid testing, PCR tests are considered to be the most accurate – and are also the most pricey, often costing upwards of £100 per test. However, tour operator Sunvil is offering two free PCR tests per person, for holidays to Portugal of five nights or more:
1x PCR test taken prior to departure from the UK
1x PCR test taken 48 hours after return from Portugal
Though mainland Portugal is currently not accepting holidaymakers, it will likely require all visitors to take a pre-arrival PCR test when its entry restrictions finally ease.
And, as with all countries on the green list, travellers returning from Portugal must take a PCR test on their return to the UK.
Sunvil customers who qualify for the free tests will only be required to pay for a pre-departure test on their return to the UK.
10:34 AM
What the lockdown rule changes mean for spas in Britain
Saunas and steam rooms will reopen on May 17 - Getty
Next Monday is expected to see the reopening of hotels, which have been closed except for business and essential stays, but some leisure facilities including indoor pools and gyms, plus personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning and nail salons, spas and massage parlours have already been able to open. Saunas and steam rooms should also be able to reopen from May 17.
In April, a Covid outbreak on Mount Everest saw dozens of people evacuated by helicopter from the foot of the world's highest peak, derailing plans for a record climbing season - Getty
China will set up a "separation line" on the peak of Mount Everest to avoid possible Covid-19 infections by climbers from virus-hit Nepal, state media reported, after dozens were taken ill from the summit's base camp.
While the virus first emerged in China in late 2019, it has largely been brought under control in the country through a series of strict lockdowns and border closures.
More than 30 sick climbers were evacuated from base camp on the Nepalese side of the world's highest peak in recent weeks as Nepal faces a deadly second wave, raising fears that the virus might ruin a bumper climbing season.
Mount Everest straddles the China-Nepal border, with the north slope belonging to China.
Tibetan authorities told reporters at a press conference they would take the "most stringent epidemic prevention measures" to avoid contact between climbers on the north and south slopes or at the top, reported the official Xinhua news agency on Sunday.
09:58 AM
Portugal to assess tourism reopening on May 13
The Portuguese Government will meet on May 13 to discuss when it will reopen to tourism, Telegraph Travel understands.
Currently, mainland Portugal is only accepting visitors for 'essential purposes', such as professional, educational, health or humanitarian reasons. Holidaymakers remain forbidden from entering the country.
09:43 AM
When are you planning to go on holiday?
England's travel restrictions will loosen (a little) from May 17, but when are you hoping to get away?
Have your say in our Twitter poll:
Following Friday's news, when are you planning to go away this year?
— Telegraph Travel (@TelegraphTravel) May 10, 2021
09:35 AM
Green list islands suffer 5.1-magnitude earthquake
South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands are accessible only by boat - Getty
The South Sandwich islands, which were granted green list status on Friday, have been hit by an earthquake over the weekend. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake on Saturday measured 5.1 on the Richter scale.
09:17 AM
PM urged to scrap all social distancing from June 21
The need for social distancing has led some restaurants to open 'dining bubbles', like this one at Coppa Club London - Getty
The Prime Minister is facing pressure from a group of lockdown-sceptic Conservative MPs who are calling on him to make new commitments on reopening.
Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs chairman Mark Harper wants Boris Johnson to pledge all social distancing measures will be lifted from June 21 - stage four of the reopening roadmap.
Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Harper states: “There needs to be early confirmation that social distancing will be completely scrapped from 21 June so that businesses can plan to fully reopen and ensure that we are truly on the 'one way road to freedom' that the Prime Minister promised.”
The reopening of England from Covid-19 lockdown has happened at the pace Mr Johnson originally set out when his roadmap was revealed in February.
‘Why won’t Teletext and Nationwide give my son’s friends their £4,184 refund?’
The owner of Teletext Holidays has been threatened with court action for dragging its heels on holiday booking refunds – as one reader's son found out the hard way, to the tune of £4,184.
Mainland Portugal is currently off-limits to holidaymakers, but the island of Madeira is open to tourists. So when holidays resume next week, what will travellers need to arrange?
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has this advice:
Take a RT-PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours before you travel and upload your test result. If you are travelling from the UK, you should arrange to take a test privately and ensure it is a RT-PCR COVID-19 nasal swab test.
In the unlikely event that your airline has allowed you to travel without a RT-PCR COVID-19 test, you will have to take a test on arrival at the airport and remain in government provided accommodation until the results are known. This will take about 12 hours.
On arrival, you will be subject to health screening. If you have not uploaded your RT-PCR COVID-19 test result, you will be asked to show it at the airport.
If at any stage you test positive or inconclusive, you will have to repeat the test(s) until the result is negative. If you have recovered from Covid in the previous 90 days, or have had both doses of the vaccine at least 15 days prior to travel, you will be exempt from showing a RT-PCR COVID-19 test on arrival.
Algarve tourism boss: 'There is plenty of availability for this summer'
João Fernandes, president of the Algarve tourist board, has told telegraph Travel that there is "plenty of availability" in the region for this summer, despite those reported booking surges:
We are obviously delighted with the news that Portugal will be on the green list, and are very ready to welcome British visitors to the Algarve. Our amazing beaches, world-class golf courses, restaurants, bars and water parks are all open from mid-May and the sun is shining.
With 44 per cent of our international visitors coming from the UK in a typical year, the absence of British visitors was noticed and missed last summer. Flights are resuming from mid-May, so hotels are prepared and offering some great packages. There is plenty of availability at the moment.
08:24 AM
Comment: I’ve spent years ignoring mainstream travel destinations. Am I a snob?
The popularity of the Portuguese capital had put this writer off for nearly a decade - Getty
A trip to Lisbon seemed too obvious to Emma Beaumont – until now. Plus thanks to its "green" list status, 48 hours here could soon be back on the cards...
Greece holiday cancellations 'pouring in' after 'amber' designation
Greece's green list hopes were dashed on Friday – for now - Getty
Greek hoteliers are reporting that cancellations are “pouring in” from British tourists, after the country was added to the UK's 'amber' list on Friday.
Greece had hoped to be declared a safe ‘green’ country on the UK’s controversial traffic light system of tourist destinations. But along with Italy, Spain and other countries popular with British visitors, it was judged to be too high-risk.
“Cancellations are starting to pour in for this [three-week] period,” Minas Hatzimichail, the president of the Hoteliers’ Association of the island of Kos told the Greek TV station ANT1. “Vaccinations in major tourist destinations should have happened in time. Europe should have received the message that we are safe”.
Britons returning to the UK from Greece will have to go through a 10-day period of self-isolation and two PCR tests. The decision is set to be re-examined in three weeks.
“There have been cancellations following the UK’s announcement,” said Babis Voulgaris, the president of the Hoteliers’ Association of Corfu.
Free lateral flow tests may not be approved for departing green list holidaymakers
Free lateral flow tests may not be approved for green list holidaymakers to use pre-departure, amid concerns about their effectiveness.
Holidaymakers returning from “green” list destinations may instead have to pay for their pre-departure tests from May 17, when the ban on foreign travel is lifted.
The Government had proposed fast turnaround lateral flow tests would be made available free of charge to people travelling abroad to cut the hassle and expense of getting a pre-return test in a foreign country.
The free kits were due to be announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on Friday when he unveiled the list of 12 safe “green” countries including Portugal, Israel, Gibraltar and Iceland.
But sources have told The Telegraph that the free kits may not now be allowed for use by May 17 because of the failure to reach “cross-Government agreement” on the scheme, amid concerns about validating the test results which are self-administered by travellers and their accuracy.
Gemma Atkinson has spoken about her relationship with her fiance Gorka Marquez, including having discussed them being away from each other due to work commitments.
Motorists can save up to 25 percent on petrol and diesel by removing one item from their car, according to motoring experts. The item in question is a common sight on many vehicles
The Money Saving Expert has issued a warning to UK homeowners who have curtains hanging up in their homes - saying you could save hundreds by following his advice.
Samantha Davis, the wife of Star Wars and Harry Potter actor Warwick Davis and herself an actress, has died aged 53. Samantha co-founded the dwarfism charity Little People UK and featured in the final Harry Potter film, alongside Warwick. Warwick announced the news in a statement to the BBC, revealing she had died on 24 March.
Following the Cass Review, a riveting ding-dong has broken out on X (formerly Twitter) between JK Rowling and the TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp. In broad terms, Allsopp belongs to the Pollyannaish “Be kind to trans people” (what harm do pronouns do?) side.
If this Israeli attack on Iran is no more than it presently appears to be, then it is rather well modulated. If the airbase at Isfahan has been attacked - home to the 8th Tactical Air Wing of the Iranian Air Force, and not a Revolutionary Guard installation - then the Israelis are making their point against a conventional military target. It is not an enrichment plant or a reactor, but the wide-ranging nuclear research conducted there involves some 3,000 Iranian nuclear scientists.
Prince Harry and his brother Prince William were said to be inseparable - but one moment six years ago at Harry's wedding their 'happiness together' reportedly changed
Israel’s strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers – but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war.
BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce was forced to intervene and reprimand a Tory Cabinet Secretary after he launched a personal attack on another panellist ...
