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UK-France: 'Traffic light' system set to open up travel from May 17

Countries’ colour-coding will be revealed in the coming days

The UK is set to reopen international leisure travel, expected on May 17, using the traffic light system for foreign arrivals Pic: Alexandr Podvalny / Pexels

The UK is to use a “traffic light” system to set rules for foreign arrivals when it reopens international leisure travel, expected on May 17.

Holidaying second-home owners can then visit France.

In all cases, a negative Covid test prior to arrival in the UK will be required.

Travel from green countries, seen as safe with regard to case and vaccination rates and variants, would be the easiest.

Travel from ‘red’ countries would be largely restricted to UK residents and need a 10-day hotel quarantine, with further day two and eight tests.

Amber would require 10-day self-isolation, as is now required for most arrivals. Obligatory tests would be done on day two and eight. An optional extra test on day five could allow leaving isolation early if it is negative.

Only a test on or before day two would be required for arrivals from green countries.

At present, home-testing kits (to post to labs) used while isolating cost £159-£399. Tests costing around £120 are currently required to enter France.

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