AMBER ANGER FOR BALEARIC BRITONS
SUMMER holidays abroad have been plunged back into doubt as some of the most popular destinations were axed from the travel green list.
Spanish islands Majorca, Menorca, Formentera and Ibiza were all added to the amber list after just two weeks of quarantine-free travel.
It means the holiday plans of unjabbed Britons who have already booked are now in tatters.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said Covid rates on the islands had doubled in the past two weeks, with 258 cases per 100,000 people.
The Balearic Islands were among the most popular destinations for people hoping to get away after a year of misery as they were one of the getaway spots on the green list.
Travellers returning from the Spanish islands from 4am on Monday will need to self-isolate unless they have had both jabs.
The Government’s decision last night prompted fresh fury from the travel industry – and could spark another mad dash home for holidaymakers abroad yet to have their second vaccinations.
Tim Alderslade, chief of Airlines UK – representing British-registered carriers – said: “The announcement reinforces the belief that the Government framework for international travel is not working.
“It is time the Government implemented a consistent and transparent travel policy, rather than the current rollercoaster ride of changes.”
Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: “It’s a totally unpredictable list of changes which won’t help most consumers. The Balearics were one of the last green options for those not fully-jabbed to be able to get away.”
But in a glimmer of good news for sun-starved Brits, holidays to Bulgaria and
Croatia were given the green-light as ministers removed the need to quarantine when returning.The British Virgin Islands will also go amber from Monday. Under new rules coming in next week, double-jabbed Brits will still be able to take advantage of the holiday destinations without the need to quarantine on return.
But last night’s announcement has plunged those with only one jab – and the unvaccinated – into chaos as they face having to bin getaways if they cannot rebook.
Mr Shapps said: “Unfortunately, when we put them on the green watch-list, from then we have seen the rates double and also the rate of positivity of tests double.
“They will go on the amber list from 4am on Monday. If you are booking to a green watch-list country, you need to make sure you can get your money back. Make sure you can rebook your accommodation.”
Rory Boland,Which? travel editor, said: “Flexible booking policies that offer to rebook your holiday for free can be of use but the devil is in the detail.You always have to pay any difference for new dates and price increases can be significant.”
Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone were yesterday put on the red list. Malta last night said it would accept all travellers who have been vaccinated with an AstraZeneca jab in the UK. It previously would not accept certain batches of the vaccine made in India, known as Covishield.
Steve and Glenda Hardy, 64 and 63, from Hull, on Humberside, were turned back at Manchester airport at 3.30am on Friday when they tried to board a Malta flight to visit their son who they have not seen for more than a year. Mrs Harvey said: “We were just gutted.”