By The transport secretary tells Sky News he will soon set out details of which countries have made it onto a “green “list.
Britons will find out which countries they will be able to enjoy quarantine-free travel to this summer “in the next couple of weeks” – as the transport secretary confirmed an NHS app will be used as a COVID passport for travel abroad.
Under Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions, international travel without one of the current exemptions – which exclude holidays – will not be allowed any earlier than 17 May.
Ministers have set out plans for a “traffic light” system to be used this summer to categorise different destinations.
And, speaking to Sky News on Wednesday, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed “in the next couple of weeks” he will be able to give details on which countries have made it onto the “green” list.
Mr Shapps also confirmed an NHS app will be used to allow Britons to demonstrate whether they have had a COVID jab, or tested negative for the virus, before travelling abroad.
“It will be the NHS app that is used for people when they book appointments with the NHS and so on, to be able to show you’ve had a vaccine or that you’ve had testing,” he added.
“I’m working internationally with partners across the world to make sure that system can be internationally recognised.”
Travel Secretary, Grant Shapps, National Scot. Image
The Transport Secretary boosted hope for foreign holidays within weeks as he revealed the NHS app will be used for travel passports.
Holiday vaccine passports will be needed by British holidaymakers to visit Spain this summer, the country’s tourism minister has said.
Fernando Valdes Verelst told a tourism conference in Mexico that Spain would be ready to welcome back tourists using the EU’s “digital certificate” from June, with a pilot programme starting next month.
“Spain is going to be ready in June to tell all travellers worldwide that you can visit us,” he said.
There is, however, frustration from UK travel firms that the British Government has not confirmed more details about the resumption of international travel or how vaccine passports will work for Britons.
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