What is the 'green watch list' and which countries are on it?

25 June 2021, 11:02

The green watch list has 17 countries on it. Picture: PA Images

All the countries on the green watch list and what it means...

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps added 16 countries to England’s green travel list from Wednesday, June 30, which means the likes of Malta and Ibiza have opened up for holidays.

But Mr Shapps also revealed that 15 of these holiday hotspots will be added to the ‘watch list’, but what does this mean?

Here’s what we know…

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Brits may have to quarantine if countries are moved to the amber list. Picture: PA Images

What is the 'green watch list'?

Any country on this list is at risk of moving back to the amber list at short notice so travellers would have to isolate upon their return.

The system aims to avoid abrupt changes, with the government stating it is being implemented to “give passengers more certainty” and to “provide greater assurance for those who wish to travel abroad”.

But the destinations on the watch list will be kept under review, with ministers stating they ‘will not hesitate to act immediately should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed’.

Holiday hotspots have been put on the green watch list. Picture: PA Images

Which countries are on the watch list?

Every new destination added to the UK's green list except Malta will be on a special ‘watch list’.

There are currently 17 destinations on the green watch list:

Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Balearic Islands (including Mallorca and Ibiza)
Barbados
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Grenada
Israel and Jerusalem
Madeira
Montserrat
Pitcairn Islands
Turks and Caicos Islands
Antigua in the Caribbean

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Travellers returning to the UK from these countries won’t need to quarantine, but they will have to provide a negative test result before departing for the UK.

They will also have to take a PCR test within two days of arrival.

The ‘green list’ countries not on the watch list are: