The Balearics are at risk of being downgraded to amber in this week’s traffic light update, according to reports.

The popular Spanish holiday island group, which include Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca, were added to the green watchlist at the update on 24 June, which allowed quarantine-free travel.

There have been spiking cases on the islands, which could lead to their downgrade in Thursday’s update.

Those travelling to amber listed countries, such as mainland Spain, have to self-isolate for 10 days on their return to England.

However, from 19 July, the requirement to quarantine will be scrapped for the fully vaccinated and those aged under 18.

The Sun, which first reported the alleged travel change, quoted a source saying: “It’s all still up for discussion, but the figures aren’t great which is why it was on the watch list in the first place.”

Transport secretary Grant Shapps warned that some countries on the green list for travel could be moved to the amber list.

Mr Shapps told BBC Breakfast this morning: “We review these every three weeks. I hope we have made very clear to everybody when booking trips at the moment there is always the chance that countries will move around.

“Some countries may go to the red list, some countries may go to the green, but some may move the other way to the amber list.

“It is a fact of life that they will continue to move around as the virus continues to develop and change globally.”

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Third of adults unaware of post-Brexit travel rules

A third of adults are unaware of post-Brexit travel rules, despite many planning to go abroad this year, according to new research.

Before Brexit, a UK passport only needed to be valid to visit the EU, but the new rules state that passport holders must have at least six months before expiry to be granted entry. In a survey of 2,000 UK consumers, comparethemarket.com found that more than a third (35 per cent) of passport holders are unaware of these new requirements. Of those whose passports are within date, nearly a third (29 per cent) are due to expire in less than a year, while 11 per cent do not know how long they have until their passport expires.

Under the new rules, EHICs (European Health Insurance Cards) are valid until their expiry date, but then individuals must apply for a new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). More than half (57 per cent) of UK adults are unaware of this new rule.

And leaving the EU has also changed the requirements for driving abroad; drivers taking their own cars to the continent now need a green card and a GB sticker. Of those who plan to drive abroad this year, 44 per cent have not applied for these items and do not currently meet the requirements to drive overseas, meaning they could be fined.

Helen Coffey14 July 2021 11:44

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Which countries have banned travellers with the Indian-made AstraZeneca jab?

Millions of British holidaymakers could be shut out of European holidays because some AstraZeneca jabs are not automatically recognised by the EU vaccine passport scheme.

Up to five million doses of the Indian-made vaccine have been administered in the UK, but Malta Tourism Authority guidance states that anyone with an Indian-made dose will be refused entry to the country.

But what is the Indian AZ or Covishield vaccine, which countries accept it – and how do I know if I’ve received it?

Read our full explainer to find out more:

Helen Coffey14 July 2021 11:31

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British travellers with India-made AstraZeneca vaccine ‘turned away by Malta’

British travellers given an Indian-made dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccine are reportedly being barred from entering Malta.

So-called Covishield batches of the AZ jab, made by the Serum Institute of India, have yet to be approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) – despite being chemically identical to UK-made matches – and are therefore not required to be recognised by the EU.

Fifteen countries, including Spain and Germany, have said they will accept the India-made doses, up to five million of which have been administered in the UK.

But Malta is refusing entry, despite being on the green list of UK-approved destinations.

Read the full story:

Malta Tourism Authority guidance states that anyone with an India-made dose – identified by batch numbers 4120Z001, 4120Z002 and 4120Z003 — will not be allowed entry.

Joe Middleton14 July 2021 11:04

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Prime minister confirms the ‘red list’ will stay after 19 July

The prime minister has said again that the “red list” of risky countries will remain after 19 July, when the rest of lockdown restrictions will drop.

From next Monday, all arrivals from “amber list” nations who are fully vaccinated won’t be required to quarantine.

Cathy Adams12 July 2021 17:08

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Ryanair to hire 2,000 more pilots

Ryanair has announced it will recruit 2,000 new pilots over the next three years.

The Dublin-based airline said it needs more crew to operate new Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

It refers to the plane as a “Gamechanger” due to its savings on fuel costs, reduction on CO2 emissions and reduced noise.

Ryanair’s people director Darrell Hughes said: “As we take delivery of more than 210 Boeing 737-8200 Gamechanger aircraft, Ryanair will recruit 2,000-plus pilots over the next three years to fill positions created by this growth.

“This is great news for experienced and aspiring pilots but also for our own pilots who will enjoy fast-tracked promotions.

“Throughout the pandemic, Ryanair has worked closely with our people to save jobs and we are delighted to start planning for a return to growth over the coming years as we recover from the Covid-19 crisis and grow to 200 million guests by 2024.

Reporting by agencies

12 July 2021 16:59

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Will I need to wear a mask on public transport?

Although all remaining Covid restrictions will be eased on 19 July in England, there are still some settings in which face masks will be required.

There will no longer be the legal requirement to wear masks, but some public transport operators including rail firms and airlines have indicated that they will be a condition of carriage.

Everything you need to know is here:

Cathy Adams12 July 2021 16:35

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Branch of Northern Line to shut for four months

One of central London’s key Tube lines is to close for four months from 15 January 2022.

Transport for London (TfL) says the City branch of the Northern Line will stop running “to facilitate complex final stages of work” on Bank station.

The closure will remove services between Moorgate – serving the north of the City of London – and Kennington in south London, where it rejoins the Charing Cross branch of the Northern Line.

It means the key National Rail termini of King’s Cross, St Pancras and London Bridge will lose their connections with the City. The closure will not directly affect Monument, the Circle and District Line station that is part of the same complex as Bank, though passengers will not be able to connect.

“These changes will help to address long-standing capacity issues at the station and make journeys through Bank easier, quicker and more comfortable,” says TfL.

The work should create 40 per cent more space within the station, as well as step-free access to the Northern line for the first time at Bank and improved access to the Docklands Light Railway. But since the work was planned, passenger numbers on the Tube have halved due to the coronavirus pandemic.

TfL says services on the Charing Cross branch will be “enhanced,” while a new bus route between Oval and the City “will ensure that customers in south London are able to reach the area easily”.

Prior to the crisis, the Northern Line was the busiest on the London Underground system.

The connected Bank and Monument stations were among the busiest on the Tube network, with an average of one-third of a million passengers each day.

The Northern line was also the busiest on the network with just over one million customers using it each working day. The reopening date is given as “mid-May 2022”.

Simon Calder12 July 2021 16:23

1626102446

The world’s deepest swimming pool opens in Dubai

Dubai isn’t letting its red list status stop it from opening bombastic tourist attractions.

It has just opened the world’s deepest swimming pool, at 60.2 metres deep.

Deep Dive Dubai, in the city’s Nad Al Sheba neighbourhood, holds 14 million litres of water and is the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Divers can explore a sunken city, including an abandoned streetscape.

Cathy Adams12 July 2021 16:07

1626101646

Breaking: England to exit lockdown on 19 July

Rules requiring social distancing and face-coverings are to be lifted in England from 19 July in the final stage of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, health secretary Sajid Javid has announced.

Clubs are among the final businesses to be given clearance to restart operations as part of the fourth and final step in Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

Guests will not be required by law to wear face-masks or socially distance from the so-called “Freedom Day” next Monday, and there will be no legal requirement for venues to operate a Covid passport scheme.

Political editor Andrew Woodcock has the full story here:

12 July 2021 15:54

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Three days until the next traffic light reshuffle.

As per the government’s three-week timetable, the next traffic light reshuffle will take place this Thursday 15 July.

At the last update, on 24 June, added Madeira, the Balearics and Malta as well as a swathe of Caribbean islands to the green list, which allows quarantine-free travel.

It also bumped six countries including Tunisia and the Dominican Republic to the red list, which mandates hotel quarantine.

From 19 July, fully vaccinated Britons will be able to swerve quarantine when returning from amber countries, so what ends up on the orange grade will be important for millions of travellers too.

Cathy Adams12 July 2021 15:34

Source: The Independent

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