Holidaymakers get go-ahead to travel abroad as quarantine is lifted for 'low-risk' countries

The 14-day self-isolation policy for people returning to or visiting England from destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Germany is being lifted, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

Meanwhile, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will exempt a number of countries from its advice against all non-essential travel, which has been in place since March 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The change in travel advice comes into force tomorrow, Saturday July 4, while the quarantine policy will be amended from Friday, July 10.

That means people who depart tomorrow and spend at least six days in certain locations will not need to self-isolate on their return.

A full list of the countries deemed to pose ‘a reduced risk to the public health of UK citizens’ will be published later today.

It will be kept ‘under constant review’ so that self-isolation measures can be re-introduced if health risks increase.

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There is speculation the initial list could feature as many as 75 countries, such as those in the European Union, British territories including Bermuda and Gibraltar, as well as Turkey, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.

Ministers failed to guarantee reciprocal arrangements with all the included nations, meaning some may require English holidaymakers to go into quarantine at the beginning of their trip.

They were also unable to convince the devolved administrations to sign off on the overall plan, with the DfT stating that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will ‘set out their own approach’.

The requirement for everyone arriving into the UK – bar a handful of exemptions – to self-isolate for 14 days was introduced on June 8.

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Passengers will still be required to provide contact information on arrival in England.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Today marks the next step in carefully reopening our great nation.

"Whether you are a holidaymaker ready to travel abroad or a business eager to open your doors again, this is good news for British people and great news for British businesses.”