The Balearic islands will to move to the British government’s amber list of destinations on Monday.
The news came on Wednesday evening as transport secretary Grant Shapps tweeted the latest changes to the traffic light system.
He said on Twitter that the Balearics, along with the British Virgin Islands, will move to the amber list – which means those arriving back in the UK will have to self-isolate for 10 days unless they are fully vaccinated.
Other changes from 4am on Monday (July 19) include Bulgaria and Hong Kong being added to the green list, while Croatia and Taiwan move onto the green watchlist of destinations.
Update: Shapps risks ‘shattering consumer trust’ warns Airlines UK
Shapps also said that four countries and territories will join the red list “to safeguard our domestic vaccine rollout”: Cuba, Indonesia, Myanmar and Sierra Leone.
From 4.00am Monday 19th July Bulgaria & Hong Kong will be added to the green list and Croatia & Taiwan the green watchlist of destinations. Please check latest travel advice before you travel as countries and territories may have extra requirements before you get there.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 14, 2021
Four countries and territories will join the red list to safeguard our domestic vaccine rollout We’ll keep these measures under review and be guided by the latest data – we won’t hesitate to take action if needed to protect public health.
— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) July 14, 2021
The BBC reported: “It is understood that data indicates a big rise in cases in the Balearic Islands following end-of-term parties.”
Shapps told the BBC that case rates had doubled since the islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca were added to the green watchlist, which meant the government needed to “move quickly”.
He warned that people travelling abroad will need to make sure they can get their money back or rebook their accommodation as there are no guarantees that destinations won’t move to a different traffic light category.
Travellers who are over 18 and not yet double vaccinated with have to self-isolate if they return after 4am on Monday, or pay for additional tests on day five as part of test-to-release.
Fully-jabbed people will be required to take a test three days before they return and on the second day after they are back – but they will now be exempted from a day eight test.
Update: Shapps risks ‘shattering consumer trust’ warns Airlines UK