Spain, including the Canary Islands, stays on the UK amber travel list

It has been confirmed tonight that Spain, including the Canary Islands, is staying on the UK’s amber list for travel as seven countries are added to the green list, including Germany, Austria and Norway, four go red, including Mexico, and France is no longer on amber-plus, with all changes taking effect from 4:00am on Sunday for travel from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Despite prior speculation, Spain will remain on the amber list, enabling travellers who are fully vaccinated to continue to enjoy a quarantine-free return, however, travellers arriving in the UK from Spain are now advised to take a PCR test, rather than the cheaper antigen or lateral flow tests, for the mandatory pre-departure test as a "precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country".

In a statement, the Government warned that UK clinicians and scientists "remain in close contact with their counterparts in Spain to keep abreast of the latest data and picture of cases".

THE CHANGES:
Moving from amber to green: Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway.

Moving from red to amber: India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE

Moving from amber to red: Georgia, Mexico, La Reunion and Mayotte

Moving from amber-plus to amber: France

There were already 29 countries or territories on the green list, which with tonight’s additions takes the total to 36. However, other countries have their own rules about allowing visitors, so being on the UK's green list does not guarantee travellers can visit there.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "We are committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains we've made through our successful vaccination programme, helping connect families, friends and businesses around the world."

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the changes moved more countries to green but also showed the need for continued caution.