Canary, Balearic and Greek islands could join travel green list - even if mainland stays amber

Popular island holiday spots could be moved to the green list of travel destinations, even if the mainland remains amber.

Ministers have hinted that islands, such as the Canaries and Balearics, could be given the green light to welcome visitors “where possible”.

‘An island approach’

Aviation Minister Robert Courts has said that UK tourists could be allowed to visit islands through the traffic light system, even if high coronavirus infection rates prevent an entire country from being added to the green list.

Independent MP Margaret Ferrier asked transport ministers in a written question whether the traffic-light system would “include an island policy to reopen routes to relatively low-risk regions of nations as was implemented in summer 2020”.

Mr Courts’ response, first reported by the Telegraph, stated: “The government will take an island approach for border measures where possible.

“Changes to the traffic light country system will be reviewed and implemented every three weeks, unless concerning evidence means we need to act faster to protect public health.”

Such a move could mean holidaymakers will get the go-ahead to travel to the Greek Islands, the Canaries and the Balearics this summer, even if mainland Spain and Greece remain on the amber list.

Stick to green-list countries only

Low-risk regions and islands were added to the UK’s travel corridors list last year, independent of their mainland state, depending on their individual level of Covid-19 risk.

The opening of travel corridors led to a huge surge in bookings for the Canary Islands over the festive period, after it was added to the list in late October.

However, the corridor was short-lived as the Canaries was later removed again on 10 December, forcing thousands of holidaymakers to cancel their trips.