The DT are reporting that overseas holidays are a go from May 17th:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...-light-may-17/
It is behind a paywall, but the crux of the article is this:
The ban on overseas holidays will end on May 17, the Government is set to announce next week, in the first step to reviving foreign travel. It will no longer be illegal to go abroad from that date, meaning summer holidays overseas will be allowed, with a traffic light system for countries to be introduced. Initially only a "tiny handful" of countries are expected to be on the "green list", however, and everyone – even those who have been vaccinated – will have to take a PCR Covid test after returning to Britain. Most European countries are expected to be on the "amber list", which will require tests and quarantine on return. A senior government source told The Telegraph that ministers believe they can "keep tight controls in place at the border while taking a significant step forward on international travel". A review of the system is planned at the end of June, ahead of the main summer holiday season, which is expected to pave the way for vaccinated people to possibly avoid quarantine and take fewer or no tests. By this time, more of Europe could be rated "green".
While this is good news, it still makes no sense to me why people coming
from amber countries who want an early release need three PCR tests AS WELL as a pre-departure test?
Originally Posted by
allergictocoach
This isn’t good news. It would essentially result in an ongoing ban until June. Limited options with enormous expense. Why would a family bother? There is playing it safe but it seems the U.K. is running from ghosts that aren’t there. No variant yet has been shown to defeat the vaccines. Most of the vulnerable no jabbed. It’s complete madness that’s going to bankrupt the travel industry.
Well right now and by mid May, most EU countries will still have way higher case rate than the UK, probably as high as 2X.
So you could say it's defensible epidemiologically speaking. But if the UK and the EU want as much traffic going across the Channel, they will have to loosen up the rules.
Or maybe there will be pressure brought to bear from Brits keen to go on a holiday in the sun.