More countries could be added to travel ‘green list’ soon, says Shapps

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The UK and allies will not allow the Red Sea to become a “no go” zone for shipping and will step up efforts to tackle Iran’s “malign influence”, Cabinet ministers have said.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the UK was committed to “repelling” the attacks on ships using the vital trade route by an Iranian-backed group in Yemen.

Grant Shapps has hinted that other countries will be added to the UK’s travel “green list” soon, urging people to “be a little patient” in the meantime.

“I don’t think people have a very long time to wait before other countries are able to join the green list”, he said in an interview with the Financial Times.

The travel “green list” is due to be updated for the first time on 8 June, although few changes are expected. A second review will follow three weeks afterwards.

At the moment, just 12 countries and dependencies are on the “green list”, with Portugal the most popular destination.

But the transport secretary suggested that when vaccination rates improve in Europe, more destinations could be added.

“If you look at France’s vaccination rate, they’re six or eight weeks behind us,” he said.

Shapps also tried to draw a line under recent criticisms over the government’s inconsistent messaging over whether people should be travelling to “amber list” countries.

“Don’t do it”, he said.

Shapps’ comments will boost the hopes of many people looking to get away from the UK over the summer.

Earlier this week EU ambassadors agreed that fully vaccinated Brits would be able to travel around the bloc freely this summer.