AIR bridges between the UK and other countries will be announced this week, ahead of the summer holidays.
The proposal of air bridges – which would allow quarantine-free travel between each country – hope to boost the allow the tourism industry to following months of uncertainty.
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A number of countries are expected to be left off the list – Portugal is likely to not be part of the plans, due to a spike in coronavirus cases, along with Sweden and the US.
Instead, the UK is looking at allowing countries to form air bridge agreements under a new traffic light system.
‘Green’ countries will be considered safer than the UK, while ‘amber’ will be less safe than the green countries. ‘Red’ countries will be left off the list as they are deemed a risk.
Here are the countries expected to be included in the agreement, and the current coronavirus levels and restrictions.
France
Coronavirus cases in France are slowing, with around 59,000 active cases.
Attractions including the Eiffel Tower have reopened, while the Louvre will follow suit from July 6 – face masks are mandatory in any public spaces including public transport, museums and attractions, and restaurants and bars.
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Spain
While coronavirus cases in Spain remain high (just under 72,000) the country is still considered to be safer than others.
Beaches across Spain are implementing new rules such as limited capacity and sunbathing zones to ensure tourists continue to social distance, with the first flights resuming from the UK last month.
Italy
Once the epi-centre of coronavirus in Europe, Italy’s active coronavirus cases have dropped to 15,060.
A number of locations are offering free or reduced price holidays across the country, such as Sicily and Molise, while Brits were welcomed back last month.
Greece
Greece has kept coronavirus cases low during the pandemic as active cases remain at 1,866.
While the country is expected to be on the air bridge list, concerns have been raised after Greece extended the UK flight ban until July 15.
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Netherlands
The Netherlands has reported 50,335 overall cases, with the active number currently unknown.
Wearing a mask on public transport is mandatory, but the majority of attractions and restaurants have reopened from today.
Germany
Germany’s active coronavirus cases are 7,342.
The country has been forced to lockdown several regions after a spike in coronavirus cases with fines for anyone without masks.
Belgium
Active coronavirus cases in Belgium remain at 34,793.
Tourists have been welcomed back since June 15, along with the UK, and launched the ‘Helpy Hour’ scheme which urges people to buy one drink for the price of two, to help bars recover following coronavirus.
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Norway
Norway has just 507 active cases of coronavirus currently reported in the country.
Borders remain closed, however, to the majority of countries in the EU including the UK until at least mid-July.
Finland
Active cases of coronavirus in Finland are 213.
Finland’s borders remain closed to the UK indefinitely, however, due to the current case level.
Croatia
Croatia’s active cases of coronavirus are just 568.
Brits don’t have to quarantine when entering the country, and flights are already running to the country.
Turkey
Turkey is reporting 20,526 active cases of coronavirus in the country.
Turkey’s UK ambassador Umit Yalcin has pressed that Turkey is safe for Brits to return – but holidays could be more expensive after soaring prices at beach resorts of £43 kebabs and £65 charges to access the sea.
Turkish Airlines has resumed flights from London Gatwick to Antalya.
