Up-to 30 countries could be on the UK's green list for travel by May, travel experts have predicted.
Leisure travel abroad could start from the 17th May with the introduction of a traffic light system for travel restrictions, the government has confirmed.
With a fresh glimmer of hope for a holiday abroad this year, we've answered some of the most commonly asked questions about travel restrictions in the UK.
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International travel restrictions in the UK
International travel for leisure is illegal in the UK until at least 17th May. The government is slowly lifting lockdown restrictions five weeks apart, while it continues to rollout the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Holidays abroad would be allowed on 17th May 2021 at the earliest, which would end the need to get written permission to leave the country.
The Global Travel Taskforce, which was set up by the government in February, submitted its plans for introducing non-essential travel back to the UK on 9th April.
"The framework will help allow us to reopen travel safely and sustainably, ensure we protect our hard-won achievements on the vaccine roll out, and offer peace of mind to both passengers and industry as we begin to take trips abroad once again," said Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps.
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Once international travel is allowed again, there is always a risk that a new COVID-19 variant could be brought back into the UK which could be more resistant to the vaccine. Grant Schapps has stressed the importance of treading very carefully as travel is reintroduced.
Traffic light system: How will it work?
Countries will be assessed based on the percentage of their population who have been vaccinated, the rate of infection, the presence of any concerning variants, and the country's access to reliable scientific data.
These risk factors will determine whether a country is on the UK's red, amber or green travel list. The list your destination country is on will determine which travel restrictions apply to you.
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Travellers to green list countries will need to take a PCR test before they depart and then another PCR test on or before day 2 of arriving back in the UK. Quarantine isn't required.
Amber and red list arrivals to the UK will have to take a test before departure. When arriving back to the UK, those travellers will need to self-isolate for 10 days. Amber country arrivals can isolate at home and have the option for a 'test to release', on day 5 to end self-isolation early.
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Arrivals from red list countries will have to stay in a pre-paid quarantine hotel for 10 days and test on days 2 and 8 of their stay there.
Which countries are likely to be on the green list?
The government has said it's "too early to predict which countries will be on which list over the summer" and they'll be releasing those details in early May.
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Northern Ireland is currently the only country on the UK's green list. Travel to and from all other countries requires testing before departure and a 'permission to travel' form.
The uncertainty hasn't stopped travel experts getting out their crystal ball though Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy, The PC Agency, expects up to 30 countries to be on the government's green list come May.
Charles predicts most European countries to be accessible by the end of June, with more long-haul destinations to follow in July and August.
"Those with higher vaccination rates will start opening up to UK tourists before the end of May, namely Israel, USA, Gibraltar, Malta, and UAE - as long as their vaccine programmes continue at pace. Last-minute booking will be strong for these destinations.
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"Countries that will possibly be green include Israel, Barbados, Morocco, Maldives, Seychelles, Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua and the British Overseas Territories of Bermuda, Turks & Caicos, Falkland Islands, St. Helena and a clutch of others. As such, it's highly likely 20- 30 countries could be green from the outset.
"There is also no reason why certain islands in the Caribbean, namely Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, should be inaccessible bearing in mind their infection rates are already low and no obvious variants circulating."
Red list travel ban
39 countries are currently on the government's red list, which means travel to these places is banned.
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The majority of those red list countries are in South America, south and eastern Africa and the UAE, as well as Qatar, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
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India will be added to the red list on 23 April due to a spike in infections.
What if a country moves from green to amber?
A green 'watchlist' will help the government identify and keep track of countries which are at risk of moving from green to amber.
The idea is to avoid any last-minute travel bans like last year, which left Brits stranded abroad. There is still that risk, so make sure if you are going to travel abroad this summer, you prepare for that scenario.
Will you need a travel vaccine passport to go abroad?
The Department for Transport (DFT) are working on a vaccine certification programme for both departures and arrivals to the UK.
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Topics: Coronavirus