NEW- Grant Shapps explains how traffic light system will work.
Green - countries with v low COVID rates. England will drop quarantine, but overseas country may not (not reciprocal).
Amber - countries with higher rates. England drops quarantine if the overseas country does.
Green - countries with v low COVID rates. England will drop quarantine, but overseas country may not (not reciprocal).
Amber - countries with higher rates. England drops quarantine if the overseas country does.
For example...
- New Zealand is on the green list. So no quarantine for people coming from NZ to England. But not reciprocal because NZ may still have concerns about UK travellers.
- France is amber. So a true "corridor" with quarantine-free travel in both directions.
- New Zealand is on the green list. So no quarantine for people coming from NZ to England. But not reciprocal because NZ may still have concerns about UK travellers.
- France is amber. So a true "corridor" with quarantine-free travel in both directions.
MORE - Grant Shapps also confirms that around 60 countries and overseas territories will be on the exempt list. Adds he wanted to publish the list earlier but blames the Scottish govt for holding it up saying the devolved nations have "their own process".
MORE - Scottish govt takes a different view saying Westminster changed the plans & gave them last minute sight. Holyrood (& other devolved govts) will come up with their own exemptions. Scottish govt says they will "take decisions based on scientific advice".
Of course this all raises the prospect of someone flying into Newcastle and avoiding a 14 day quarantine, while others arriving in Edinburgh 100-odd miles north are forced to self-isolate.
Will the Scottish govt enforce a quarantine on travellers coming in through England?
Will the Scottish govt enforce a quarantine on travellers coming in through England?
Also, the govt saying it is 'putting New Zealand on the green list' because of their low incidence actually means: 'we're unilaterally letting in people from NZ because they have a lower COVID rate than us, but NZ probably won't give Brits open access because our rate is higher'.
Or... being on the 'green list' means the govt here hasn't been able to reach a reciprocal agreement with the overseas country because the infection rate in England is still too high. So it's not as good a thing as it sounds!
NEW - Grant Shapps says the USA will be on the red list. So travellers returning to England from the States WILL still have to quarantine for 14 days. Transport Sec was speaking to #r4today
