GREEN FOR GO THIS WEEK

BRITS can expect to hear as soon as this week which nations will be open for international holidays.

Ministers are expected to decide on the first “green list” of safe destinations on Wednesday, with an announcement on Friday.

Passengers returning from “green list” nations will not have to go into quarantine or isolation on their return when international travel starts again – no earlier than May 17.

Countries including Iceland, Malta, Portugal and Gibraltar are tipped to be on the first list.

Caribbean nations such as Jamaica and Grenada, and the Cayman Islands, have also been mentioned after taking into account vaccine rates, infection rates and evidence of variants. Israel is also likely to feature, as could Morocco and the Maldives.

Up to 24 countries or overseas territories could be declared green for May 17. But officials suggested reports that destinations including Ibiza, Mallorca and the Canary Islands are set to be on the first green list may be premature.