Britons vow to continue flying to Spain despite potentially facing 10 days ...

Britons vow to continue flying to Spain despite potentially facing 10 days ...
Britons vow to continue flying to Spain despite potentially facing 10 days ...

Angry Britons have vowed to continue flying to Spain despite facing 10 days quarantine if the country is put on the 'amber plus' list.

Travellers at Heathrow Terminal 5 said any change in the rules 'won't stop us going on holiday' as they prepared to jet to the Mediterranean.

They said a holiday in the sun outweighs the risk even if they are not 'made of money' because 'we all need to get away and relax'.

Holidaymakers could face fresh chaos amid claims Spain is on the verge of being placed on the 'amber plus' list for quarantine.

The move, which could leave hundreds of thousands of Britons having to self-isolate unexpectedly on return, is believed to be on the cards amid growing concern about cases of the South African variant.

But Whitehall sources are increasingly confident France will be downgraded to 'amber' when the categories are reviewed next week - and there are hopes Germany and Austria could go green.

The speculation comes as the 'Covid O' group of ministers decided fully-vaccinated travellers from the EU and US will be spared quarantine after ministers signed off an exemption.

Despite Labour branding it 'reckless', the easing went ahead after Boris Johnson voiced concerns the EU was further ahead in welcoming international travellers than the UK and risk 'squandering its vaccine bonus'.

There is also a new wave of optimism after coronavirus cases tumbled for a seventh day running - with ministers privately claiming the crisis is now 'all over bar the shouting'.

Mr Johnson said this morning that dropping self-isolation rules for people who are 'pinged' is 'nailed on' for August 16.

But he is defying furious Tory demands for the date to be brought forward, amid warnings from businesses of food shortages caused by so many staff being off.

As the country waits anxiously for the next phase of the pandemic: 

The International Monetary Fund upgraded its forecasts to predict the UK economy would bounce back with 7 per cent growth this year; Boris Johnson slapped down Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove for branding vaccine refusers 'selfish' and warning they could be barred from venues; The Department of Health admitted daily testing was just as effective as self-isolation; New figures revealed a record 1.13million children were off school in the final week of term because of self-isolation rules; Leaked Covid hospitalisation figures suggested almost half of patients tested positive only after being admitted; A further 131 virus-related deaths were reported – the highest figure since March – while Covid patients in hospital rose to 5,918.

Melissa Garcia (pictured), 27, a student from London, turned up at Heathrow to jet off on holiday with her friends, but was not allowed to fly because she only had her second Covid jab last week

Melissa Garcia (pictured), 27, a student from London, turned up at Heathrow to jet off on holiday with her friends, but was not allowed to fly because she only had her second Covid jab last week

Tourists returning to the UK from Spain will have to quarantine for 10 days, regardless of jabs, if it is placed on the amber-plus list next week. Pictured: Heathrow today

Tourists returning to the UK from Spain will have to quarantine for 10 days, regardless of jabs, if it is placed on the amber-plus list next week. Pictured: Heathrow today

There is also a new wave of optimism after coronavirus cases tumbled for a seventh day running - with ministers privately claiming the crisis is now 'all over bar the shouting'. Pictured: Playa Segur de Calafell Beach in Calafell, Spain, last month

There is also a new wave of optimism after coronavirus cases tumbled for a seventh day running - with ministers privately claiming the crisis is now 'all over bar the shouting'. Pictured: Playa Segur de Calafell Beach in Calafell, Spain, last month

Travellers at Heathrow Terminal 5 said any change in the rules 'won't stop us going on holiday' as they prepared to jet to the Mediterranean. Pictured: Heathrow today

Travellers at Heathrow Terminal 5 said any change in the rules 'won't stop us going on holiday' as they prepared to jet to the Mediterranean. Pictured: Heathrow today

They said a holiday in the sun outweighs the risk even if they are not 'made of money' because 'we all need to get away and relax'. Pictured: Heathrow today

They said a holiday in the sun outweighs the risk even if they are not 'made of money' because 'we all need to get away and relax'. Pictured: Heathrow today

Holidaymakers could face fresh chaos amid claims Spain is on the verge of being placed on the 'amber plus' list for quarantine. Pictured: Heathrow today

Holidaymakers could face fresh chaos amid claims Spain is on the verge of being placed on the 'amber plus' list for quarantine. Pictured: Heathrow today

The move, which could leave hundreds of thousands of Britons having to self-isolate unexpectedly on return, is believed to be on the cards amid growing concern about cases of the South African variant. Pictured: Heathrow today

The move, which could leave hundreds of thousands of Britons having to self-isolate unexpectedly on return, is believed to be on the cards amid growing concern about cases of the South African variant. Pictured: Heathrow today

Britain is open for business! Ministers back dropping quarantine rules for fully-vaccinated travellers from EU and US as well as ex-pats who had jabs abroad

Fully-vaccinated travellers from the EU and US are set to be spared quarantine after ministers signed off an exemption today.  

The powerful 'Covid O' group is understood to have agreed that the self-isolation requirements can be dropped for some of the UK's major trading partners.

Ex-pats who have received jabs abroad are also set to be given a dispensation. All will still need to get tests in a bid to reduce the risk that they are infected. 

Boris Johnson had privately voiced concerns the EU was further ahead in welcoming international travellers and the UK risked 'squandering its vaccine bonus'.

The policy decision applies to England, but there is an expectation that Scotland and Wales will follow suit.  

However, Labour has branded the approach 'reckless', warning it risks importing more variants.

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Tourists returning to the UK from Spain will have to quarantine for 10 days, regardless of jabs, if it is placed on the amber-plus list next week.

France is currently the only country on the plus-list after a rise in Beta-variant cases sparked concern. But this could be about to change.

The government is planning on reviewing its 'traffic light' country ratings next Wednesday or Thursday, with Spain and Greece rumoured to be in the amber-plus firing line.

But Spanish bound passengers say a holiday outweighs the risk, even if they're not 'made of money'.

Laura Morrison, a 44-year-old teacher from Richmond, south west London, who is taking her family to Lanzarote for two weeks, said: 'It's our first holiday of the year and it's been really stressful, especially getting all the tests and stuff for my two daughters.

'I know it's risky taking a holiday, because if Spain gets put on the amber-plus list my husband would have to take a test to release for work.

'But the children have been stuck inside for months and, although we're not made of money, we all need to get away and relax.

'The whole traffic light system is just confusing: they should just leave it as red, amber and green.

'I think it's really a money-maker for the Government. The tests should be free and people should not be penalised for going on holiday.'

Melissa Garcia, 27, a student from London, turned up at Heathrow to jet off on holiday with her friends, but was not allowed to fly because she only had her second Covid jab last week.

She said: 'I'm studying in London and was suppose to fly to Madrid today for a holiday with my friends, but because I only got my second jab last week, I can't go.

'So British Airways booked me on a flight next week free of charge, but my friends won't be there anymore. If they put Spain on the amber-plus list then I'll have to quarantine when I get back, but I would rather that than cancel my holiday.

'They should make it a different colour because I think it would be easier to understand. It's really confusing having an amber-plus list.'

Reprieve? Travel to France might soon be easier

... but holidaymakers in Spain (pictured) may have to quarantine even if double-jabbed

Reprieve? Travel to France (left) might soon be easier... but holidaymakers in Spain may have to quarantine even if double-jabbed

Whitehall sources are increasingly confident that France will be removed from the ‘amber plus’ list, which requires people to self-isolate for ten days on return even if fully vaccinated. Pictured, Mahon, the capital city of Menorca in Spain

Whitehall sources are increasingly confident that France will be removed from the 'amber plus' list, which requires people to self-isolate for ten days on return even if fully vaccinated. Pictured, Mahon, the capital city of Menorca in Spain

Arthur, 18, who recently finished school, said: 'I'm visiting some family friends in Ibiza for about five days. My travels are pretty much done after this trip, but I can understand why people are getting frustrated.

What are the rules on returning to England from an amber list country? 

Since July 19, people who have received both vaccine doses in the UK at least 14 days prior to travelling have not been required to self-isolate when returning from 'amber list' destinations.

They are also not obliged to take a Covid test on

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