The US has added about 130 countries to its Do Not Travel list, accounting for approximately 80% of all nations, raising concern that there won’t be an air corridor with the UK in May.
The US Department of State said the Covid-19 pandemic “continues to pose unprecedented risks to travellers” and “strongly recommends US citizens reconsider all travel abroad”.
The full list of banned destinations has not yet been made public, with guidance for each individual country expected next week.
The Telegraph said the move “dashes hopes for the introduction of a UK-US travel corridor from May 17”, when the UK government intends to resume overseas travel.
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The UK is expected to confirm its “green” list of countries on May 10, with the US thought to be one of the few places Britons can visit without the need to quarantine on return, but there has not been any official confirmation.
The Telegraph also reported that Israel and the UK are exploring the possibility of opening a “green travel corridor” between them, citing the success of the two countries’ vaccination drives.
The newspaper said the issue was discussed at a meeting in Jerusalem between Israel’s foreign minister, Gabi Ashkenazi, and Michael Gove – the British cabinet minister who is reviewing how Covid certification might work in the UK.
Last week, Israel set out its intention to allow organised groups of tourists that have been vaccinated to enter the country from May 23.
The ministers of tourism and health agreed on a framework for the opening of Israel to foreign tourists after more than a year of border closures.