UK Sets New Travel Rules, Gives Green Light to a Dozen Nations

(BBC) - Twelve destinations have been put on a green travel list for people in England, meaning anyone returning will not need to quarantine from 17 May. A new traffic light system of rules means international travel will no longer be illegal.

However, places on the green list - which includes Portugal, Israel and Gibraltar - have their own restrictions on who can visit from abroad. The transport secretary said the UK approach was "necessarily cautious". But the travel industry has said it is too cautious and called it a reopening of air travel "in name only".

The full list of 12 countries and territories people in England can travel to without having to quarantine upon return are:

Portugal

Israel

Singapore

Australia

New Zealand

Brunei

Iceland

Gibraltar

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island

The biggest group is the amber list - which includes popular European destinations such as Spain, Italy and France. People returning from those countries have to isolate themselves in their homes for at least five days - but Mr Shapps said no-one should be travelling to those destinations at the moment.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not said when they might ease their strict travel restrictions, but Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said all four of the UK's chief medical officers agreed on the principles behind the traffic light system.