Expected time of travel update today on red, green and amber list changes

Switzerland, Canada and Denmark were among seven countries added to the UK travel green list in the last update from the UK government, opening up more quarantine-free holiday options for Brits.

Strict rules still remain for many popular tourist spots, with the likes of Spain, France and Italy all still on the amber list - and Turkey still stuck on the red list.

How does the traffic light system work?

The travel traffic light system was introduced earlier this year to divide countries into green, amber and red lists, based on the coronavirus risk in each location, with different rules applying to each.

Countries are categorised into green, amber and red lists, with different quarantine restrictions and testing requirements applying to each.

For green listed countries, arrivals need to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day two of their return to the UK.

However, travellers will not need to quarantine, or take any additional tests, unless they receive a positive result.

As of 19 July, children and adult arrivals from amber list countries who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus do not have to quarantine on their return to England. They do still have to book and take a day two test, and isolate should they receive a positive result.

Arrivals from red list countries must stay in a managed quarantine hotel for 10 days, take a pre-departure Covid test and a PCR test on or before day two, and on or after day eight.

Travellers can only enter the UK from red list countries if they are British or Irish National, or have UK residence rights.

Since 2 August, fully vaccinated travellers from the US and European Union have no longer had to self-isolate when arriving in the UK from an amber list country. The rule change was announced as the government said it would help to reunite family and friends.

When will the travel lists be reviewed?

The travel reviews are scheduled to take place every three weeks, with the last update having taken place on Thursday 26 August. The changes from the latest review came into effect from 4am on Monday 30 August.

The next review of travel restrictions is expected to come on Thursday 16 September.

Any changes that are announced will likely come into effect from 4am on the following Sunday or Monday.

What time will the travel announcement be made?

While no time for the next travel update has been confirmed, previous travel announcements have typically taken place late in the afternoon, at around 5pm.

However, unlike other major updates throughout the pandemic, the travel announement tends not to be accompanied by a government press conference.

Changes to the travel lists are instead announced on Twitter by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.

What is the criteria for the travel lists?

The decision on which countries are added to each list is based on a range of criteria, taking into account public health advice and the Joint Biosecurity Centre’s assessment of the latest Covid data.

The criteria for the lists includes:

- The percentage of a country’s population that have been vaccinated- The rate of infection- The prevalence of variants of concern- The country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing

What changes were made in the last review?

The Azores, Switzerland and Canada joined the green list on 30 August, alongside Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein and Lithuania.

While Canada’s addition will likely see more Canadian visitors head to the UK, the North American country still has an e