Foreign holiday confusion as 15 of 16 new green list countries on brink of amber and even minister refuses to book a hol

BRITS are facing foreign holiday confusion after Grant Shapps admitted almost all the new green list countries are on the brink of turning amber again.

The transport secretary refused to say three times whether he would personally book a holiday to one of the destinations being opened up.

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Brits will be able to head to the beach in Europe again after new green list countries were opened up

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Grant Shapps admitted there is uncertainty around many of the destinations opened up

And he admitted places like the Balearics and Madeira that are now on the green “watch list” have “marginal” figures and could soon be be downgraded.

Mr Shapps said sun seekers should be aware that “things might change quickly” and make sure they have full insurance before booking a trip abroad.

And he suggested only those who have “flexibility” in their summer plans should go ahead and plan a foreign holiday this summer.

Of the 16 new green countries announced last night only Malta isn’t on the “watch list” of destinations at risk of imminent downgrading.

Pressed on whether the others could quickly turn amber again, he said: “Of course we’ll try not to do that.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to get through to the next review in three weeks’ time before meeting to make any of those decisions.

“But be aware we can see that the situation is fast changing, we want to alert people. There are some concerns in these particular locations.

“And therefore be aware that when you book things may have to change, they may have to change at short notice.”

He added: “We’re not back in 2019 before the whole Coronavirus. So of course, there are things that you’ll need to consider.”

Mr Shapps said Malta is the safest bet for Brits because it has very high vaccine rates and top notch sequencing of new variants.

He warned other popular destinations like Mallorca, Ibiza, Minorca, and Madeira are “a little bit more marginal”.

And he said people would have to look at the risks still involved in booking and “weigh up if that is going to work for them or not”.

Getty – Contributor

Malta is the only new country not on the green ‘watch list’

Getty – Contributor

Caribbean islands like Barbados have also been opened up

He said: “Each individual will look at their own situation. If people have flexibility then that obviously is going to be a bit easier this year.

“The scientist are concerned things could move quickly and we want everyone to be aware of our thinking so they can book accordingly.”

His remarks come after sun seekers were given their biggest boost of the year last night as Ibiza, Majorca, Malta and some Caribbean islands turned green.

In a major win for summer holidays, a bumper list of new destinations where Brits can travel without quarantine will open up from next week.

it means from next Wednesday at 4am, passengers will be able jet back from the Balearics without hunkering down at home on return.

It opens up holidays to the immensely popular Spanish islands including Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formenta.

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And stunning Caribbean hot spots like Grenada, Barbados, Bermuda and Antigua have also gone green.

But Jamaica stays amber, and package hols destination the Dominican Republic is one of six countries moved to the red list.

The announcement has been welcomed by cash-starved airlines, travel companies and holidaymakers longing for a post-pandemic retreat.

Ibiza, Majorca, Malta and the Caribbean added to green list in MAJOR holiday boost for Brits this summer