British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is trying to resolve the confusion caused by mixed messages emanating from his government. He unambiguously reiterated that people should not be travelling to an amber list country for leisure purposes.
Johnson said, “I think it’s very important for people to grasp what an amber list country is: it is not somewhere where you should be going on holiday, let me be very clear about that,” Johnson said.
“If people do go to an amber list country, they absolutely have to for some pressing family or urgent business reason, then please bear in mind that you will have to self-isolate, you’ll have to take tests and do your passenger locator form and all the rest of it.”
The amber list covers most of the world, with more 170 countries and territories including all the most popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece and the US.
The PM’s comment come after Environment Secretary George Eustice said people could go to amber countries if they quarantined on return.
Eustice said people should only be going to visit family or friends, or for essential business.
Then a health minister at the House of Lords suggested people should scrap plans for all travel abroad – even for green list destinations – and stay at home.
Lord Bethell told peers: “Travelling is dangerous. That is not news to us or to the people who get on those planes in the first place. We do ask people, particularly as we go into the summer, travelling is not for this year, please stay in this country.”
Green list countries are:
1. Portugal
2. Israel
3. Singapore
4. Australia
5. New Zealand
6. Brunei
7. Iceland
8. Gibraltar
9. Falkland Islands
10. Faroe Islands
11. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
12. St Helena, Tristan de Cunha, Ascension Island
The mixed messages come as reports there were more than 150 flights to amber list countries on Monday
Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds criticized the Government’s own ministers, for giving out conflicting and confused advice about whether people are allowed to travel, especially between amber list countries.