The US is to extend its European coronavirus travel ban to include the UK and Republic of Ireland. Under England’s lockdown roadmap, international travel is not allowed until 17 May at the earliest. Speaking to MailOnline, Dr Steven Freudmann, Chairman of the Institute of Travel & Tourism and former President of ABTA, suggested the ploy is 'politically motivated and not guided by the scientific reality'. However it is understood that Spain's Canary Islands - a holiday hotspot - could be included on the green list because of the low level of cases. This comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Times Radio that destinations on the amber list – which includes Spain, France, Italy and Greece – are “places that you shouldn’t go to unless you have an absolutely compelling reason”. Starting at midnight on 9 March 2021, the travel ban to the Netherlands from UK will be lifted. On Mar 22, the Government drafted legislation to legally extend the national travel ban to June 30. The rolling seven-day average for daily cases was yesterday more than 8,000, compared with around 2,000 for Britain. The Seychelles boasts some of the world's most idyllic beauty spots, with golden sands and clear blue seas. He said: 'Our borders further is the next step to allow for our economic recovery. Millions of lockdown-weary Britons are waiting with baited breath for ministers to reveal their 'green list' of countries ahead of holidays resuming from May 17. But No10 said ministers were now confident the ban will be lifted on May 17 – the most optimistic date set out in Boris Johnson's roadmap for easing the lockdown. Official royal accounts stay silent as fans of the Sussexes congratulate the couple on three years of marriage, Pose star Billy Porter, 51, reveals he's HIV positive and kept it secret for 14 years because he was 'ashamed'. Travel firms welcomed the boost in demand but called for coronavirus restrictions to be eased for more destinations. A final decision will be made early next month. Pictured, Queues at Heathrow last night. Thousands of people have departed on international flights after the ban on foreign holidays was lifted for people in Britain. But with a low vaccination rate and cases rising rapidly, the European holiday favourite will likely be overlooked for green list status. MailOnline understands the long delays are being caused by a perfect storm of problems with the Home Office accused of using a 'rigid and inflexible' bubble system for staff meaning those not on the rota for passport control cannot be moved in to ease pressure at peak times, despite social distancing and regular sanitising, Unions claim Heathrow (pictured last night), could use all passport control desks if they had installed screens surrounding each booth, rather than the front-facing ones they chose. But Sir Jeremy Farrar, director of The Wellcome Trust charity, warned there “is a risk” that the coronavirus variant first identified in India could be transmitted by people travelling out of the UK. The ban on foreign travel has also been lifted and replaced with new rules. It's small population means that its cases per 100,000 can appear worrying, but that's because just a handful of cases can have a sizeable shift in the numbers. While the country has now given vaccines to 21 per cent of its population, its case rate is still much higher than the UK's. Hospital staff across India have been warning they will run out of oxygen as the health system collapses around them amid a surge in cases which has seen India register a record 2,023 deaths in one day. When will UK travel ban be lifted? The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. “I think travel should still be very cautious and only when absolutely essential,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. Pictured: Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, Queues for border control at Heathrow Airport last night. Heathrow Airport is refusing requests for extra flights from India before the country is added to the Government's coronavirus red list at 4am tomorrow due to fears of long border queues. The R rate is also estimated to be at 1.18, meaning infections are rising. Tui is using aircraft normally reserved for long-haul routes to accommodate the surge of passengers. It is feared B.1.617 spreads easier than older strains and has mutations which help it evade vaccines - but to what degree remains unclear. Portugal could also be a rare European addition to the green list after wrestling cases right down. Thousands of Brits jet off on green list getaways as lockdown travel ban finally lifted. Such a hit to the economy means Portugal is enthusiastic about welcoming back British tourists, who typically flock to the Algarve by the thousands each summer. Like much of Europe it recently grappled with a devastating third wave, and although it appears to be past the peak, it is unlikely to make the UK's green list at first. 'We will have that green, amber, red system. Mr Tomsett said: “We’ve gone through all the hoops, PCR testing… after 15 months of being locked up this is unbelievably good.”. Industry chiefs are confident British tourists will be able to book holidays in the gulf shortly. Thousands of people have departed on international flights after the ban on foreign holidays was lifted for people in Britain. Experts from the PC Agency believe most of Europe will be amber not green (data from April 15). 'I think there are some strong indications that over the next few weeks, things will move very quickly.'. A pedestrian wearing a protective face mask walks past cafe terrace with chairs stacked outside a restaurant, in Paris. Paul Charles predicts it will be on the amber list under the UK's traffic light system. The city has been open for tourists since July 2020, with visitors required to take a PCR test 72 hours before arrival, and again on arrival in Dubai. UK Announces Dates to Lift Restrictions on Dining, Travel, and Nightclubs May 17 is the earliest date British citizens could go on an international getaway, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. He added that “many companies will not make it to next year” unless the green list is expanded ahead of the peak travel months of July and August. Yet it is the toughened UK self-isolation restrictions facing returning holidaymakers that will likely sway their choice of destination. From tonight at 12 AM, the ban on flights and ferries coming in from the UK to the Netherlands will be lifted by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, there are fears this could be … However the country is still hoping to lure visitors to its beautiful beaches and vibrant tourist spots this summer. Tourism minister Rita Marquez said she looked forward to Britons flying over from May 17, provided they show proof they've been vaccinated or have tested negative. The Netherlands will allow travel from UK again, starting at midnight on 9 March. Those who do travel to an amber country are required to quarantine at home for 10 days on their return. But Such strict measures could deter holidaymakers who have not had both doses. The outbreak of coronavirus saw countries worldwide close down their borders and prevent travel, in a bid to prevent further spread. Portugal is enthusiastic about welcoming back British tourists, who typically flock to the Algarve by the thousands each summer (Alvor beach pictured). But despite craving tourists to revive their flagging economy, typical British favourites such as France and Spain could be set to miss out. Asked about the May 17 target, the PM's official spokesman said: 'There is nothing in the data that suggests we need to change the dates.'. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, told an event last month: 'The progress that's being made in the US, Israel (and) the UK gives us hope that life will start to assume some sort of normality. Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article. 'Malta has implemented its 'Sunny and Safe' Covid protocols, so visitors can be reassured that all restaurants, accommodation and service providers must comply with the highest levels of cleanliness and safety. Yes! Vaccine passports have been hailed as key to unlocking foreign travel this summer, with many countries ready to welcome people who've had both doses without tests. The Commons transport committee yesterday urged ministers to name the 'green list' by May 1 to give firms and families time to plan. The archipelago with a population of only half a million people has indicated it will allow fully vaccinated Britons to fly there from June 1. It is currently illegal to travel abroad for holidays, but the UK government’s roadmap for exiting lockdown states that a new taskforce to review global travel restrictions … UK to lift ban on non-essential travel to up to 90 countries. Where is the best bet for a foreign holiday this summer? Four airlines asked the west London airport for a total of eight extra flights to arrive at the hub before the Friday deadline so that returning UK travellers can avoid the gruelling 10-day hotel quarantine. Since 16 March 2020 there has been a ban on British nationals entering the US if they have been in the UK, Ireland, Schengen zone, Iran, Brazil, or China within the previous 14 days. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. ', People coming out of Heathrow Terminal 2 after arriving back from Mumbai before the new restrictions come into force. Those awarded green list status, where returning travellers will not have to self-isolate, will automatically become prime getaway locations. Restaurants, museums, shops, gyms and malls have all now reopened after months starved of income. 'The people of Malta are looking forward to tourists returning who have loved our sunshine, culture, food and warm spirit year in year out. Travel ban lifted: Government publishes two separate lists of countries where restrictions are eased – and they don’t match up ... the other on the risk of importing the virus on return to the UK. Kingston – Jamaica’s travel ban on the United Kingdom (UK), slated to come to an end on Friday will not be extended, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said. A fifth of the population has now also been vaccinated, and the most vulnerable seven per cent have received both doses. Last month Malta Tourism Authority UK and Ireland director Tolene Van Der Merwe said: 'Malta is a very popular destination for British holidaymakers and is a key contributor to Malta's economy, so we are excited to welcome back fully vaccinated travellers from the United Kingdom from 1 June 2021. They will still have to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test result three days prior to travel, a vaccination certificate, and have a PCR test completed at arrival at the airport. Currently, it is uncertain when the UK will lift the travel ban and whether you can start planning your summer holidays. Paul Charles, chief executive of the PC Travel Agency, reckons Dubai will be open for travel by July 31, along with neighboring Doha and Abu Dhabi. A negative PCR test certificate 72 hours prior to, or on arrival, is also likely to be accepteable. Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye said he is “surprised and disappointed” that the Caribbean is not on the green list as “many islands pose such a low risk”. THE COUNTRIES EXPECTED TO GO ON THE 'GREEN LIST'. Vaccinated: 15%     Daily cases 53/100,000      Weekly change: 10%, Border controls: Negative test taken within 48 hours. ', Vaccinated: 24%         Daily cases: 2.6/100,000      Weekly change: 8%, Border controls: Visitors tested on arrival and must quarantine for 5 days. Holiday favourites that hang in the balance... Vaccinated: 19%       Daily cases 47/100,000      Weekly change: -27%, Border controls: Seven-day quarantine, arrive with proof of negative test. Stringent rules for overseas arrivals have helped keep overall cases below 4,000 in Barbados. Thousands of holidaymakers boarded international flights on Monday morning, with many heading to Portugal. It means travellers would require proof of a negative PCR test before arriving in Britain, take two further tests after returning and undergo a 10-day quarantine at home. 'We have intensified preparations for the upcoming tourist year; we are arranging additional points for testing in tourist places in order to make our tourists' stay in the Republic of Croatia as pleasant and safe as possible. Play it now. He also pointed out that UK tourism is an incredible boon to the French economy, with statistics showing that British holidaymakers spent more than £5billion while visiting the country during 2017. Work out travel to the airport. Brits up with the lark to go on holiday as UK travel ban is lifted! After falling foul of the EU's bungled jab rollout - and President Macron's scepticism of the AstraZeneca vaccine - France is now making headway and has nearly inoculated a fifth of its population. Portugal is steadily resuming normal life after weeks of restrictions has successfully brought cases right down. Spain wants to welcome British tourists but is set to miss out on the 'green list' - however Portugal, Dubai and Barbados could be on. There has so far been no sign of the feared spike in Covid cases since the reopening of shops, gyms, hairdressers and outdoor hospitality last week – which could have derailed the roadmap. British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said the resumption of overseas leisure travel is “an important milestone”, particularly for people who have been “separated from their families and loved ones for over a year”. But Paul Charles, boss of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said he expected up to 30 countries to be considered 'green' destinations – not requiring travellers to quarantine upon return. From May 17, the ban on taking a holiday abroad is set to be lifted and international travel will once again be allowed. Tourism in Spain - the world's second-most visited country before the pandemic - fell 80 per cent last year and the country wants visitors back fast. Crocodile Dundee Paul Hogan, 81, sends message to vagrants camped outside his $3.5M LA mansion as homeless overrun Venice Beach, LA County accuses Vanessa Bryant of conducting 'fishing expedition' and 'subjecting first responders to harassment and threats' after she named four sheriff's deputies accused of sharing graphic Kobe crash photos, NYC knifeman slashes commuter in neck on Manhattan subway train days after four passengers were randomly stabbed, Joe Biden absolves graduating Coast Guard cadets of 'minor infractions' and brings up his own college prank - then salutes Guard for responding to the pandemic, Happy anniversary Harry and Meghan! Paul Charles, boss of the PC Travel Agency, said today the green list will instead likely include countries Israel, Barbados, Morocco, Maldives, Seychelles, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua and the British Overseas Territories of Bermuda. The Government has pledged to update its lists on June 7, and will review its overall policy in relation to arriving travellers on June 28. Cases are also declining and daily deaths - which have been kept remarkably low, totalling 1,561 during the entire pandemic - have dropped to an average of around three per day. The ban on foreign holidays is on track to be lifted on May 17, Downing Street said last night, with travel opened up to as many as 30 countries. All the numbers are trending in the right direction Malta, paving the way for summer holidays in one of the Queen and the late Prince Philip's treasured island bolthole. The Government is expected to unveil its traffic light system on May 7, when destinations will be categorised by varying degrees of quarantine restrictions. The Seychelles boasts some of the world's most idyllic beauty spots, with golden sands and clear blue seas. Vaccinated: 51%     Daily cases: 19.2/100,000    Weekly change : -1.3%, Border controls: Must arrive with proof of negative test within 72 hours. Retired couple Keith and Janice Tomsett, aged 72 and 71, from West Chiltington in West Sussex, departed on one of the first flights from Gatwick on Monday morning, travelling to the Portuguese island of Madeira. The ban brought travel between Jamaica and the UK to a ha Several countries around the globe have also been forced to institute similar travel bans Since reopening its … President Biden's administration might revoke the EU, Brazil and U.K. travel ban by mid-May. Doctors in India claim there has been a sudden spike in coronavirus admissions among people under 45, who have traditionally been less vulnerable to the disease - but UK scientists do not believe it is any deadlier than the strains currently circulating. Nikolina Brnjac, the country's tourism minister, said: 'EU citizens, as well as non-EU citizens, who have either recovered or been vaccinated or have a negative PCR or EU-approved antigen test, will be able to enter Croatia for tourist reasons. Turkey could ease restrictions on May 15. Nevertheless, an infection rate of just 2.6 per 100,000 should see Barbados make the green list.