Holidays abroad are back on from 17 May (if all goes well)

In breaking news, the Global Travel Taskforce has set out its framework to safely reopen international travel from May.

Under proposals that could come into force from 17 May, countries will be either green, amber or red under the proposed traffic light system.

A “watchlist” will also be drawn up to identify countries that could switch from green to amber, to help passengers plan in advance, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

This is to avoid the mass rush of holidaymakers trying to get home to avoid quarantine as in the summer of 2020 although ministers “will not hesitate to act immediately” to change a country’s status is needed.

The government is expected to announce near the start of May whether travel can resume on the 17th along with the first list of countries and which colour they will be under the system.

How the traffic light system will work - if arriving from:

• Green-list country: pre-departure test and a PCR test on the day after their return, but no self-isolation, quarantine or need to take any other tests provided test result is negative

• Amber-list country: pre-departure test, isolate for 10 days at home, and get tested on days two and eight when home. These travellers can do a test-and-release from day five

• Red-list country: pre-departure test followed by a 10-day mandatory hotel quarantine on return. No change to system that has been in place since January

Other recommendations from the report include the removal of the 'permission to travel form' - meaning holidaymakers would no longer need to prove they have a valid reason to leave the country.

According to The Guardian, travel certificates are also being developed by the NHS and the government to help people provide evidence of their vaccination against Covid if needed when travelling to other countries.

The full government press release can be seen here.