UK government are in talks over expanding Covid travel 'red list'

The UK Government is discussing whether or not to expand the travel “red list” of countries as ministers are facing mounting pressure to prevent coronavirus variants undermining the vaccine programme. Officials met on Friday to consider the case for taking a tougher approach. British residents and nationals returning from countries on the ‘red list’ must quarantine in an airport hotel for 10 days at a cost of £1,750, while other arrivals are banned, as it remains illegal to go on holiday.

Ministers are expected to make a decision next week due to rising Covid cases across parts of Europe. In the UK, the case rate per 100,000 people over the last 14 days is 114, according to data published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

The same rates are far higher in large parts of the continent, with Poland on 716, France on 562 and Italy on 517. This could be good news for Spain and the Canary Islands, if we can reduce incidence rates, as currently Spains IA14 is 138.63 per 100, 000 inhabitants. The Balearic Islands are low enough for tourists and are preparing for summer.