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Families were in a fight to save summer last night with holiday hotspots in Europe facing new travel rules.
Plans for an 'amber watch list' have sparked uproar in Whitehall, with some ministers warning the scheme could wreck the hopes of millions of Britons.
The idea, which was agreed in principle this week, would see holidaymakers warned that while they are abroad certain amber countries could go straight on to the red list.
This would leave them facing compulsory hotel quarantine on their return, at a cost of £1,750 a head.
Plans for an 'amber watch list' have sparked uproar in Whitehall, with some ministers warning the scheme could wreck the hopes of millions of Britons. Pictured: Eiffel Tower in Paris
Spain and Italy both featured in talks about countries that could be put into the new category – as soon as next week – amid fears about the Beta variant, which first emerged in South Africa.
There was a glimmer of hope that France could be released from the 'amber-plus' list, meaning the fully vaccinated will finally be able to return to the UK without the need to quarantine.
But it could still go into the amber watch category.
Senior ministers, including Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and Chancellor Rishi Sunak, are said to have reservations about imposing further disruption on the beleaguered travel sector.
Mr Shapps urged people to 'ignore speculation' ahead of decisions next week. But behind the scenes a battle is raging.
One Whitehall source said: 'You would have to be crackers to book a holiday to a place knowing that it could go on to the red list at any moment.
Spain and Italy (pictured) both featured in talks about countries that could be put into the new category – as soon as next week – amid fears about the Beta variant
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