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08th Jun 2021

Brits should ‘holiday at home’ and not travel abroad unless ‘absolutely necessary’

Charlie Herbert

'Holiday at home', says George Eustice

A handful of destinations remain on the travel green list though.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has said that people should holiday at home this year and not travel abroad unless it is absolutely necessary.

The Tory MP encouraged people to visit the “great places” that exist in the UK and said that he would not be travelling abroad this summer.

He explained to Sky News that people must be aware of the “risks” in travelling outside of the country, best demonstrated by the thousands travelling to Portugal before it was moved from the government’s travel green list to its amber list, meaning that travellers would need to quarantine for 10 days on return from the country.

“I will be staying at home. I have no intention of travelling or going on a holiday abroad this summer,” Eustice said.

“Some people may, but they have to understand that there are obviously risks in doing so because it is a dynamic situation.

“But I think most people will probably decide this year to stay at home, holiday at home.”

Asked whether he is advising people to stay in the UK, Mr Eustice added: “I think, my advice to people would be holiday at home.

“We’ve got some great places here, there aren’t many places that are on that list.

“But obviously some people will want to travel abroad. There are still a small number of countries on that green list. If they want to do that they can, but obviously they will have to understand there are risks in doing so as well.”

The official government guidance states that ministers “continue to advise against all non-essential travel to some countries and territories.”

Despite this advice though, there are a small number of destinations that remain on the travel green list, meaning that travellers would not need to quarantine on return to the UK.

The government website says: “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect international travel.

“No travel is risk-free, and many countries have closed their borders or restricted entry to UK travellers.

“Any country may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant.”

The government recently announced that no new countries would be added to its travel green list, with Portugal being removed from the list.

The only locations that are currently on the green list are: Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Israel and Jerusalem, Singapore, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, and St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

It should be noted, though, that destinations such as Australia and New Zealand will not let you in. So don’t bother booking a flight to Sydney.