The British government did not make any additions to the first update of the green travel list, refuting the expectations of analysts and tourism agents for the upgrade of Malta, some Greek and Spanish islands or even Cyprus.
In contrast, Portugal, the only popular tourist destination in Europe that had been on the green list from the beginning, is being downgraded to orange, a downgrade that will take effect in the early hours of Tuesday.
British tourists returning from "orange" countries have a ten-day quarantine obligation at home, in addition to diagnostic tests, an obligation that does not apply to arrivals from "green" countries.
Transport Minister Grand Saps, who made the announcements, said the priority was to completely lift domestic restrictions on the pandemic on June 21 and that the government "simply does not want to take the risk". He added that the government's approach emphasizes security and cited increased positivity in Portugal and concerns about a new mutation of the Indian variant originally found in Nepal.
"I understand that we are all desperate for people to return to normal. "This can only be done through domestic unlocking."
The reaction of travel industry players in Britain and internationally was immediate and critical. Virginia Messina, vice president of the World Travel and Tourism Council, called it a "huge disappointment", while PC Agency travel consulting director Paul Charles called it a "horrible decision". In an announcement, easyJet talks about a "shock decision".
There will also be seven additions to the red list, countries such as Egypt, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago and Afghanistan.
Source: KYPE